Abstract
Introduction. Aging is associated with a physiological decline that contributes to loss of physical function and increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events and development of type 2 diabetes. The vast majority of research has focused on traditional exercise activities such as brisk walking, cycling or resistance training in the prevention of this physiological decline with age. However, untrained elderly may be reluctant to participate in multiple training sessions a week, and may also be unwilling to take part in intense exercise due to motivational reasons. Thus, efficient and motivating exercise activities that can promote physiological function and health in elderly are needed. Recently, it was demonstrated that a period of small-sided soccer leads to a range of beneficial physiological adaptations including gains in muscle mass in healthy untrained young. In older recreational active adults, 16 weeks of small-sided soccer was shown to improve physical function and exercise capacity, whereas muscle mass was unaffected by the training despite a high intake of daily protein. However, a number of questions still need to be answered regarding small-sided ball game training in untrained elderly: 1) The effect of other small-sided ball games, e.g. floorball training and cone ball, on physiological adaptations important for health as well as the effect of combined protein intake, 2) the effect of regular small-sided ball games in older adults with a more advanced age and low physical function, and 3) the feasibility, motivation and injury rate of regular small-sided ball games in untrained elderly.
Purpose. The overall aims of the present thesis were to examine physiological adaptations important for health after a period of small-sided ball game training and protein ingestion in untrained elderly (+65 years), and to investigate if small-sided ball game training is feasible and can be considered as a health promoting activity for untrained elderly.
Methods. Three 12-week randomized controlled training studies examining the effect of small-sided ball game training on physical function, body composition, aerobic capacity, blood lipids and insulin resistance as well as markers of systemic inflammation in untrained elderly were conducted. Study I examined small-sided floorball training in untrained recreational active men aged ~69 years (range 65-75), study II examined a mix of small-sided ball game training followed by either high or low protein intake in untrained elderly men and women aged ~72 years (range 65-90), and study III examined small-sided ball game training in old untrained men and women aged ~80 years (range 65-93).
Results. The small-sided ball game training was consistently shown to improve physical function in untrained elderly (I, II, III). Also reduced heart rate at rest and during submaximal exercise as well as a drop in body fat was evident (I, II). Muscle mass was unaffected by floorball training and small-sided ball game training followed by low protein intake (I, II), but immediately intake of protein after small-sided ball game training
sessions resulted in higher leg muscle mass in untrained elderly men and women (II). In study I, reductions in plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides and insulin resistance were demonstrated, whereas no changes were observed in study II. In study II, C-reactive protein (CRP) was lowered with low protein intake, with no change in study I. In study II and III, it was demonstrated that regular participation in small-sided ball games does not compromise daily physical activities in older untrained adults. Furthermore, small-sided ball games was shown to be a motivating, safe and enjoyable exercise activity with a high degree of social connectedness that easily can be implemented in untrained older adults (I, II, III).
Conclusions. Small-sided ball games of 16-24 min twice a week was a motivating activity that led to better physical function and a number of physiological adaptations important for health in untrained older adults aged 65-93 years. In addition, ingesting protein after the training may aid to increase muscle mass in untrained older adults. The adaptations in the present studies may reduce the risk for developing age-associated chronic diseases. Thus, small-sided ball game training appears to be recommendable as a health-promoting activity in untrained older adults aged 65-93 years.
Purpose. The overall aims of the present thesis were to examine physiological adaptations important for health after a period of small-sided ball game training and protein ingestion in untrained elderly (+65 years), and to investigate if small-sided ball game training is feasible and can be considered as a health promoting activity for untrained elderly.
Methods. Three 12-week randomized controlled training studies examining the effect of small-sided ball game training on physical function, body composition, aerobic capacity, blood lipids and insulin resistance as well as markers of systemic inflammation in untrained elderly were conducted. Study I examined small-sided floorball training in untrained recreational active men aged ~69 years (range 65-75), study II examined a mix of small-sided ball game training followed by either high or low protein intake in untrained elderly men and women aged ~72 years (range 65-90), and study III examined small-sided ball game training in old untrained men and women aged ~80 years (range 65-93).
Results. The small-sided ball game training was consistently shown to improve physical function in untrained elderly (I, II, III). Also reduced heart rate at rest and during submaximal exercise as well as a drop in body fat was evident (I, II). Muscle mass was unaffected by floorball training and small-sided ball game training followed by low protein intake (I, II), but immediately intake of protein after small-sided ball game training
sessions resulted in higher leg muscle mass in untrained elderly men and women (II). In study I, reductions in plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides and insulin resistance were demonstrated, whereas no changes were observed in study II. In study II, C-reactive protein (CRP) was lowered with low protein intake, with no change in study I. In study II and III, it was demonstrated that regular participation in small-sided ball games does not compromise daily physical activities in older untrained adults. Furthermore, small-sided ball games was shown to be a motivating, safe and enjoyable exercise activity with a high degree of social connectedness that easily can be implemented in untrained older adults (I, II, III).
Conclusions. Small-sided ball games of 16-24 min twice a week was a motivating activity that led to better physical function and a number of physiological adaptations important for health in untrained older adults aged 65-93 years. In addition, ingesting protein after the training may aid to increase muscle mass in untrained older adults. The adaptations in the present studies may reduce the risk for developing age-associated chronic diseases. Thus, small-sided ball game training appears to be recommendable as a health-promoting activity in untrained older adults aged 65-93 years.
| Original language | English |
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| Place of Publication | Copenhagen |
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| Publisher | Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen |
| Number of pages | 62 |
| ISBN (Print) | 978-87-7209-023-8 |
| Publication status | Published - 2017 |
