Oral Presentation

Paper ID : 1084-SSRC

¹1Department of Biological Sciences in Sport, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Health, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran

²Department of Biological Sciences in Sport, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Health, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran

Background: The gradual decline in skeletal muscle mass and strength with the onset of aging significantly affects functional performance. Agrin protein plays a crucial role in a healthy muscle by molecularly regulating the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) structure. Age-related disruptions in the NMJ structure and elevated levels of C-terminal Agrin Fragment (CAF) lead to reduced innervation capacity and muscle dysfunction. Aim: To investigate the effect of Total Body Resistance Exercise (TRX) training on body composition, physical performance, and CAF levels in older adults. Methods: Thirty-three healthy older adults (18 females and 15 males; mean age: 67.91 ± 4.50 years) were randomly assigned to either the TRX group (n = 18) or the control group (n = 15). The study involved two pre-tests, an 8-week TRX program, and two post-tests. The program included 24 sessions, with three 60-minute sessions per week at moderate intensity (perceived exertion between 10 and 16). Measurements included anthropometric characteristics (Bioelectrical impedance analysis method), balance (Biodex Balance System), flexibility (Sit-and-reach test), lower body muscle strength (Isokinetic device), and mobility (30-Sit-to-Stand test), and CAF concentration (Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit). Pre-test and post-test values between groups were compared using an independent sample t-test. Cohen's d was employed to calculate the effect size, where d values of ≥ 0.2, ≥ 0.5, and ≥ 0.8 indicate minor, moderate, and large effects respectively. Results: There were no significant changes in the body mass index (P = 0.10; d = 0.43), fat mass (P = 0.73; d = 0.12), and lean body mass (P = 0.42; d = 0.09). Noticeable improvements in isometric knee-extension strength (P = 0.006; d = 0.50), balance (P = 0.03; d = 0.63), flexibility (P = 0.004; d = 0.52), and 30-sit-to-stand (P = 0.006; d = 1.35) were found following TRX intervention. Moreover, TRX training did not result in a notable effect on CAF concentration (P = 0.45; d = 0.11). Conclusion: These findings highlight the efficacy of suspension training in enhancing the overall physical capabilities of older individuals. TRX training might serve as an effective preventive approach to maintaining neuromuscular health and deterring the onset of sarcopenia.

aging; Suspension training; C-terminal Agrin Fragment; NMJ; Functional performance