Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Combined with Protein Ingestion Preserves Thigh Muscle Mass But Not Muscle Function in Healthy Older Adults During 5 Days of Bed Rest

With this cohort, we previously demonstrated preservation of thigh lean tissue with neuromuscular electrical stimulation combined with protein supplementation (NMES+PRO) treatment during bed rest in healthy older adults. Because macrophage polarization plays a significant role in the repair and maintenance of muscle size and insulin sensitivity, we hypothesized that muscle macrophages would be induced by NMES+PRO and would correspond to an increase in lean mass and an attenuated insulin resistance response altered by bed rest. Older adults (60–80 years old; body mass index < 30 kg/m2) underwent 5 days of bed rest and were randomized to either thrice daily treatment of NMES+PRO (n = 8) or CON (n = 8). Lean mass, insulin sensitivity, and markers of muscle macrophages, inflammation, and connective tissue were determined before and after bed rest. Glucose intolerance and insulin resistance occurred after bed rest but there was not a treatment effect (p > 0.10). Proinflammatory-like macrophages (CD11b+, CD206−) increased (p < 0.05) with NMES+PRO treatment and was different than CON. Minor changes in noncontractile tissue were observed. However, changes in muscle macrophages or extracellular matrix were not related to the preservation of thigh lean mass or insulin resistance. Daily NMES+PRO treatment during bed rest induced a muscle proinflammatory-like macrophage response and was unrelated to muscle size or metabolic function. This study is listed as clinical trial NCT02566590. Novelty Neuromuscular electrical stimulation combined with protein supplementation (NMES+PRO) increased proinflammatory-like macrophages and extracellular matrix content in older adults after bed rest. NMES+PRO changes in macrophages and noncontractile tissue macrophages were not related to muscle size preservation or insulin sensitivity.

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Effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation cycling on thigh muscle mass and strength in persons with advanced multiple sclerosis

Journal of the Neurological Sciences ◽

10.1016/j.jns.2017.08.708 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 381 ◽

pp. 248 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

C. Fornusek ◽

P. Hoang ◽

M. Barnett ◽

R. Oliver ◽

J. Burns

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Electrical Stimulation ◽

Muscle Mass ◽

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation ◽

Thigh Muscle

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Exercise Snacking to Improve Muscle Function in Healthy Older Adults: A Pilot Study

Journal of Aging Research ◽

10.1155/2019/7516939 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2019 ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Oliver J. Perkin ◽

Polly M. McGuigan ◽

Keith A. Stokes

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Body Mass ◽

Muscle Function ◽

Exercise Intervention ◽

Muscle Size ◽

Thigh Muscle ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Healthy Older Adults

Loss of muscle mass and strength are seemingly accepted as part of the ageing process, despite ultimately leading to the loss of independence. Resistance exercise is considered to be primary defence against loss of muscle function in older age, but it typically requires access to exercise equipment often in a gym environment. This pilot study aimed at examining the effect of a 28-day, unsupervised home-based exercise intervention on indices of leg strength and muscle size in healthy older adults. Twenty participants were randomly assigned to either maintain their habitual physical activity levels (Control; n=10; age, 74 (5) years; body mass, 26.3 (3.5) kg/m2) or undertake “exercise snacks” twice daily (ES; n=10; age, 70 (4) years; body mass, 25.0 (3.4) kg/m2). Both groups consumed 150 g of yogurt at their breakfast meal for the duration of the intervention. Sixty-second sit-to-stand score improved by 31% in ES, with no change in Control (p<0.01). Large effect sizes were observed for the difference in change scores between the groups for interpolated maximum leg pressing power (6% increase in ES) and thigh muscle cross-sectional area (2% increase in ES). The present pilot data suggest that exercise snacking might be a promising strategy to improve leg muscle function and size in older adults and that further investigation into zero-cost exercise strategies that allow high frequency of training is warranted.

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Effects of the head lift exercise and neuromuscular electrical stimulation on swallowing muscles activity in healthy older adults: a randomized pilot study

Clinical Interventions in Aging ◽

10.2147/cia.s209055 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol Volume 14 ◽

pp. 1131-1140

Author(s):

Marziyeh Poorjavad ◽

Saeed Talebian Moghadam ◽

Noureddin Nakhostin Ansari

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Electrical Stimulation ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation ◽

Healthy Older Adults ◽

Swallowing Muscles

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Exercise Training as an Intervention to Improve Muscle Function and Recovery Following Bed Rest in Older Adults With Type 2 Diabetes

Case Medical Research ◽

10.31525/ct1-nct04057677 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Keyword(s):

Type 2 Diabetes ◽

Older Adults ◽

Exercise Training ◽

Muscle Function ◽

Bed Rest

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Ankle dorsiflexors and plantarflexors neuromuscular electrical stimulation training impacts gait kinematics in older adults: a pilot study

Gait & Posture ◽

10.1016/j.gaitpost.2020.12.016 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Antoine Langeard ◽

Lucile Bigot ◽

Gilles Loggia ◽

Louis Bherer ◽

Nathalie Chastan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Electrical Stimulation ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation ◽

Gait Kinematics ◽

Ankle Dorsiflexors

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Effects of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Combined with Exercises versus an Exercise Program on the Physical Characteristics and Functions of the Elderly: A Randomized Controlled Trial

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18052463 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (5) ◽

pp. 2463

Author(s):

Eun Mi Jang ◽

So Hyun Park

Keyword(s):

Electrical Stimulation ◽

Muscle Mass ◽

Lower Limb ◽

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation ◽

Exercise Program ◽

The Elderly ◽

Exercise Group ◽

Low Intensity ◽

Strengthening Exercise ◽

Low Intensity Exercise

(1) Background—The application of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) combined with low-intensity exercise to the elderly can be more efficient than low-intensity exercise only in terms of delaying the loss of muscle mass. We aimed to assess the adjunct of NMES to low-intensity lower limb strengthening exercise to prevent falls in frail elderly for a relatively short period of 4 weeks. (2) Methods—Thirty elderly women aged 65 or above were randomly categorized into three groups: control group (CON, n = 8), exercise group (EX, n = 10), and NMES with exercise group (EX + NMES, n = 9). The exercise group took part in a lower limb strengthening exercise program for one hour three times a week for four weeks. Furthermore, the NMES with exercise group had added NMES stimulation when exercising. The limbs’ muscle mass, body fat mass, calf circumference, grip force, five times sit-to-stand test, timed up-and-go test (TUG), one-leg stand test, and Y-balance test (YBT) were evaluated at baseline and 4 weeks after. (3) Results—Comparisons between the three groups showed that the TUG was significantly decreased and the YB was significantly increased in NMES with exercise group (p < 0.05). (4) Conclusions—These results suggested that a combination of NMES stimulation and exercises was more helpful in strengthening balance than exercises alone in the short term.

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Lower Skeletal Muscle Mass at Admission Independently Predicts Falls and Mortality 3 Months Post-discharge in Hospitalized Older Patients

The Journals of Gerontology Series A ◽

10.1093/gerona/gly281 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 74 (10) ◽

pp. 1650-1656 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Esmee M Reijnierse ◽

Sjors Verlaan ◽

Vivien K Pham ◽

Wen Kwang Lim ◽

Carel G M Meskers ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Muscle Mass ◽

Older Patients ◽

Test Score ◽

Handgrip Strength ◽

Bed Rest ◽

Post Discharge ◽

Male Sex ◽

Prospective Longitudinal

Abstract Background Approximately 10% of older adults are annually admitted to a hospital. Hospitalization is associated with a higher risk of falls and mortality after discharge. This study aimed to identify predictors at admission for falls and mortality 3 months post-discharge in hospitalized older patients. Methods The Evaluation of Muscle parameters in a Prospective cohort of Older patients at clinical Wards Exploring Relations with bed rest and malnutrition (EMPOWER) study is an observational, prospective longitudinal inception cohort of 378 patients aged 70 years and older who were subsequently admitted to a tertiary hospital (the Netherlands). Potential predictors for falls and mortality 3 months post-discharge were tested using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses and included the following domains: demographic (age, sex, living independently), lifestyle (alcohol, smoking), nutrition (SNAQ score), muscle mass (absolute, relative), physical function (handgrip strength, Katz ADL score), cognition (six-item cognitive impairment test score), and disease (medications, diseases). Results The mean age was 79.6 years (standard deviation 6.23) and 50% were male. Within 3 months post-discharge, 19% reported a fall and 13% deceased. Univariate predictors for falls were higher age, lower absolute muscle mass and higher six-item cognitive impairment test score. Lower absolute muscle mass independently predicted falls post-discharge (multivariate). Univariate predictors for mortality were higher age, male sex, no current alcohol use, higher SNAQ score, lower absolute and higher relative muscle mass, higher Katz ADL score and higher number of diseases. Male sex, higher SNAQ score, and lower absolute muscle mass independently predicted mortality post-discharge (multivariate). Conclusions In hospitalized older adults, muscle mass should be measured to predict future outcome. Future intervention studies should investigate if increasing muscle mass prevent short-term falls and mortality.

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Muscle Strength, Size, and Composition Following 12 Months of Gender-affirming Treatment in Transgender Individuals

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism ◽

10.1210/clinem/dgz247 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 105 (3) ◽

pp. e805-e813 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Anna Wiik ◽

Tommy R Lundberg ◽

Eric Rullman ◽

Daniel P Andersson ◽

Mats Holmberg ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Muscle Mass ◽

Muscle Function ◽

Treatment Initiation ◽

Hormone Replacement ◽

Knee Extensor ◽

Muscle Volume ◽

Muscle Size ◽

Thigh Muscle ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

One Year

Abstract Context As many sports are divided in male/female categories, governing bodies have formed regulations on the eligibility for transgender individuals to compete in these categories. Yet, the magnitude of change in muscle mass and strength with gender-affirming treatment remains insufficiently explored. Objective This study explored the effects of gender-affirming treatment on muscle function, size, and composition during 12 months of therapy. Design, settings, participants In this single-center observational cohort study, untrained transgender women (TW, n = 11) and transgender men (TM, n = 12), approved to start gender-affirming medical interventions, underwent assessments at baseline, 4 weeks after gonadal suppression of endogenous hormones but before hormone replacement, and 4 and 12 months after treatment initiation. Main outcome measures Knee extensor and flexor strength were assessed at all examination time points, and muscle size and radiological density (using magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography) at baseline and 12 months after treatment initiation. Results Thigh muscle volume increased (15%) in TM, which was paralleled by increased quadriceps cross-sectional area (CSA) (15%) and radiological density (6%). In TW, the corresponding parameters decreased by –5% (muscle volume) and –4% (CSA), while density remained unaltered. The TM increased strength over the assessment period, while the TW generally maintained their strength levels. Conclusions One year of gender-affirming treatment resulted in robust increases in muscle mass and strength in TM, but modest changes in TW. These findings add new knowledge on the magnitude of changes in muscle function, size, and composition with cross-hormone therapy, which could be relevant when evaluating the transgender eligibility rules for athletic competitions.

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