Abstract
We investigated changes in functional fitness after an exercise program in combination with Calanus oil supplementation, a novel source of bioactive lipids rich in wax esters with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA). Fifty-five healthy sedentary women aged 65–80 (mean age 70.9 ± 3.9 years, BMI 27.24 ± 3.9 kg m−2, VO2peak 19.46 ± 3.7 ml kg−1 min−1) were enrolled in the study. The participants were divided into two groups: exercise training plus Calanus Oil supplementation (n = 28) or exercise plus placebo (sunflower oil) supplementation (n = 27). The exercise intervention program was completed by 53 participants and contained functional circuit training (twice a week, 45 min plus 15 min of stretching and balance training) and Nordic walking (once a week, 60 min) for 16 weeks. Senior fitness test, exercise stress test on bicycle ergometer, hand-grip, and body composition were evaluated before and after the program. Our results show that functional fitness and body composition improved following the interventional exercise program, but for most of the parameters there was no synergic effect of supplementing n-3 PUFA-rich Calanus oil. In comparison to the placebo group, the group with Calanus supplementation experienced significantly higher improvement of functional strength of lower body which was evaluated by the chair stand test. Supplementation with Calanus may have a synergic effect with exercise on functional strength of the lower body in the elderly.
Highlights
Aging is associated with loss of muscle mass and strength [1]
Note: data are presented as median (IQR), * p < 0.05, a Wilcoxon Signed Rank test, b Mann–Whitney U test; r = effect size; ECW—extracellular water; SMM—skeletal muscle mass; VFA - visceral fat area; BMI—body mass index
The biological process of aging cannot be stopped by any known means, but there is a body of substantial evidence that regular physical activity can promote life expectancy and prevent or postpone common modern lifestyle diseases and increase the quality of life
Summary
Aging is associated with loss of muscle mass and strength [1]. A progressive loss of muscle mass tends to accelerate after the age of 60–70 years [2,3]. In a study by Smith et al [11], the authors evaluated the efficacy of fish oil-derived n-3 PUFA only (without any exercise) on age-associated loss of muscle mass and function after six months supplementation in sixty healthy 60–85-year-old men and women. They demonstrated increased skeletal muscle mass, hand-grip strength, and 1-RM muscle strength in the n-3 PUFA supplemented group. Calanus oil supplementation on muscle function and health related parameters in a group of older women in a randomized controlled trial
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