Song Ee Park, Jin Hwa Choi, Du Hwan Kim, Don-Kyu Kim, Yongsoon Park, Yong Chan Ha, In Gyu Hwang
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: Ageing and cancer are associated with accelerated skeletal muscle catabolism, leading to sarcopenia, adverse body composition changes, and functional decline. Exercise and nutritional support are established physiological countermeasures against muscle loss; however, their feasibility and physiological effects in older adults exposed to profound catabolic stress remain insufficiently characterized.
Methods: Between 2021 and 2023, adults aged ≥65 years with advanced cancer undergoing systemic therapy participated in a 12-week combined exercise and nutritional intervention program. Participants were assigned to an intervention group (exercise plus nutrition, n=20) or a usual-care control group (n=40). The primary endpoint was feasibility, defined as ≥50% adherence to both exercise and nutritional components during the first 6 weeks. Secondary endpoints included changes in skeletal muscle index (SMI), subcutaneous and visceral fat compartments, safety, and patient-reported quality of life.
Results: The median age was 72 years, 65% were men, and 41.7% had baseline sarcopenia. Adherence rates were 65% for exercise and 75% for nutritional support, with an overall attrition rate of 5% and no intervention-related adverse events. At 6 weeks, SMI declined significantly in the control group, whereas no statistically significant change in SMI was observed in the intervention group. Subcutaneous fat decreased significantly in the intervention group, with a reduction in visceral fat observed among men. At 12 weeks, body composition parameters remained relatively stable in both groups. Modest improvements were noted in fatigue, appetite loss, and nausea.
Conclusions: A combined exercise and nutritional intervention was feasible, safe, and well tolerated in older adults exposed to severe catabolic stress. The preservation of skeletal muscle mass and favorable body composition changes observed suggest meaningful physiological adaptation, supporting exercise and nutritional support as viable physiological countermeasures in vulnerable ageing populations.
期刊介绍：
Frontiers in Physiology is a leading journal in its field, publishing rigorously peer-reviewed research on the physiology of living systems, from the subcellular and molecular domains to the intact organism, and its interaction with the environment. Field Chief Editor George E. Billman at the Ohio State University Columbus is supported by an outstanding Editorial Board of international researchers. This multidisciplinary open-access journal is at the forefront of disseminating and communicating scientific knowledge and impactful discoveries to researchers, academics, clinicians and the public worldwide.
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