Exercise as it relates to Disease/Resistance training effects on muscle physiology in elderly postoperative patients

This Wikibook page is a fact sheet and analysis of "Resistance training induces qualitative changes in muscle morphology, muscle architecture and muscle function in elderly postoperative patients" by Suetta C, Anderson JL, Dalgas U, Berget J, Koskinen S, Aagaard P, Magnusson SP, Kjaer M (2008)

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Background Information for the Research
Sarcopenia is the progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength with the risk of adverse effects. There are multiple factors that cause sarcopenia such as age, diet, physical activity levels and disease status. Sarcopenia is also associated with other poor health consequences such as disability, mental disorders, decreased quality of life and death.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) since 1970 to 2025 there will be a 200% growth in the elderly and older adults population. Although we cannot change the ageing populations there are other preventative strategies used to address sarcopenia and age related conditions. Resistance training has shown to be an effective way of preventing muscle atrophy and increasing strength. Diet is also another way of preventing muscle loss by increasing protein consumption, this helps with maintaining muscle mass and structure

This paper explores different types of postoperative rehabilitation methods to best prevent muscle atrophy and sarcopenia in an elderly population. It also highlights changes in muscle structure, architecture and function after completing the different exercise methods.

Where is this research from?
This study was conducted by the Institute of Sports Medicine at the Bispebjerg University Hospital in Copenhagen, Denmark and was approved by the ethics committee in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. There are authors in this research that are employed by the University of Copenhagen. This could potentially create a bias towards their research and the results acquired.

Type of Research
This study was a randomized controlled trial and the patients were stratified by age and gender. A randomized controlled trial is where subjects are randomly selected into groups. This type of method is used to prevent bias with subjects and researchers. Therefore, the results of the research should be a true indication of the intervention effects. In this study the interventions are the different types of exercise methods and the control is the subjects non-operated leg.

What did the Research Involve
•	Thirty six elderly patients that were scheduled for a unilateral hip replacement volunteered to take place in the study.

•	All patients were randomly placed into one of three groups: 1 unilateral resistance training, 2) unilateral electrical stimulation and 3) standard rehabilitation.

•	The resistance training group carried out a 12-week (3 days per week) unilateral progressive training program focusing on leg press and knee extension exercises

•	The electrical stimulation group performed neuromuscular stimulation of the quadriceps muscle of the operated limb for 1 hour per day for 12 weeks

•	The standard rehabilitative group conducted functional exercises without external loading focusing on improving mobility and strength.

•	All tests were performed 1 week before operation, 5 and 12 weeks post-surgery and muscle biopsies were taken 2 days post-surgery.

Basic Summary of Results
The results presented were a direct analysis of pre and post-surgery changes in muscle physiology due to the different postoperative rehabilitation methods used.

Interpretation of Results
The researchers determined that resistance training is an effective way of increasing maximal muscle strength in elderly post-operative patients. Interestingly increases in the muscle function were due to increased muscle fiber size, increases in both type I and II muscle fibres and the fibre pennation angle. These results have also been shown in typically younger healthy individuals from resistance training.

In contrast these results were not achieved by neuromuscular electrical stimulation or standard rehabilitative exercises. Therefore, resistance training should be considered when prescribing exercise for elderly individuals or and any individual with sarcopenic symptoms. This approach to resistance training has been used to gain specific results for the research, but it is an unusual approach towards resistance training for an elderly population. Their resistance training program should focus on whole body functional movements that promote whole bodystrength.

At the time of this study it was the first to measure muscle fibre pennation angle, muscle fibre area, maximal dynamic strength and stair climbing power in combination with different rehabilitative exercise interventions for elderly individuals. Recent research is looking into the role of the nervous system and how it is influencing sarcopenia and then how resistance training can prevent sarcopenia. Resistance training is having long term changes in skeletal muscle function and the neuromuscular system which can compensate for the age related declines in muscle size and nerve function

Conclusions that should be taken away from this research
Resistance training has been shown to be an effective exercise method to help prevent the age related decline of muscle mass and help build muscular strength. These increases in muscle strength and function can have benefits on activities of daily living such as stair climbing and falls prevention

Implications of the research
Resistance training can be used as a tool in preventing sarcopenia however; sarcopenia should be also be managed by other possible avenues such as diet, neuromuscular training, hormone replacement therapy and pharmacotherapies. These should all be considered when dealing with sarcopenia. It is important to note that appropriate medical screening should be completed before starting a resistance training program and exercise sessions should be monitored by an accredited exercise professional. All resistance training programs should be tailored for each patient.