Resistance training of peripheral muscles benefits respiratory parameters in older women with sarcopenia: Randomized controlled trial

Purpose of the research: Ageing entails a decrease in muscle mass and strength, known as sarcopenia, which also affects respiratory function. Physical exercise is an appropriate intervention to treat both conditions. This study aims to assess the efficacy of high-intensity resistance training (HIRT) on clinical parameters of respiratory function and health-related quality of life (QoL) in community-dwelling older women with sarcopenia. Methods: Fifty-one sarcopenic community-dwelling women aged 70 years and older were randomized to either six months of HIRT (n = 24) or control (n = 27). At baseline and post-intervention, participants were assessed for skeletal-muscle sarcopenia; respiratory sarcopenia status; respiratory function: spirometry (FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC, and FEF25-75) and expiratory (MEP) and inspiratory (MIP) respiratory muscle strength parameters; and health-related QoL (EURO-QOL 5D-3 L). Results: A group-by-time interaction effect for MEP (p = 0.044, eta(2) =0.108) was observed. CG showed a significant decrease in FEV1 (mean difference [MD] 0.12 L; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.20, 0.05; p = 0.002); and FVC (MD 0.18 L; 95% CI 0.33, 0.03; p = 0.024) after six months, whereas the HIRT maintained respiratory function without change. Post-intervention, mean EQ-VAS increased in the HIRT and decreased in CG, resulting in a significant between-group difference (mean 73.0 standard deviation [SD] 16.99 vs 61.1 SD 18.2 points, respectively; p = 0.044). Respiratory sarcopenia status was reverted in the HIRT. Conclusions: HIRT increased muscle strength and halted age-related respiratory function decline in sarcopenic old women. A strength intervention could benefit health-related QoL and physical well-being.