Abstract
BackgroundEvidence supports the fact that multicomponent exercise and HMB supplementation are, separately, effective in improving older adult’s health and palliate functional metabolic diseases in older people. However, the true effect of HMB supplementation combined with a tailored exercise program in frail older adults is still unknown. Thus, the aim of the HEAL (HMB + Exercise = Adults Living longer) study is to assess the effects of the combination of a daily multicomponent exercise and resistance training (VIVIFRAIL program) intervention in addition to HMB supplementation on older adults’ health.Methods/designA 24-week cluster randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study will be conducted on 104 adults ≥70 years. Nursing homes will be randomized to either of four groups: Ex-HMB (exercise intervention with HMB), Ex-Plac (exercise intervention with placebo), NoEx-HMB (no exercise intervention with HMB), and Controls (No exercise and no HMB). Intervention groups which include exercise will complete the individualized multicomponent (strength, balance and cardiovascular exercises) training program VIVIFRAIL. Intervention groups which include HMB supplementation will receive a 3 g/daily dose of free acid HMB in powder form. The primary outcome measure is the functional capacity. Secondary outcome measures are muscle strength and power, frailty and fall risk, body composition, biochemical analyses and cardiometabolic risk factor, disability and comorbidity, cognitive function and depression.DiscussionThe findings of the HEAL study will help professionals from public health systems to identify cost-effective and innovative actions to improve older people’s health and quality of life, and endorse exercise practice in older adults and people living in nursing homes.Trial registrationNCT03827499; Date of registration: 01/02/2019.
Highlights
Evidence supports the fact that multicomponent exercise and HMB supplementation are, separately, effective in improving older adult’s health and palliate functional metabolic diseases in older people
The findings of the HEAL study will help professionals from public health systems to identify costeffective and innovative actions to improve older people’s health and quality of life, and endorse exercise practice in older adults and people living in nursing homes
The aim of the HEAL study is to assess the effects of the combination of a daily multicomponent exercise and resistance training (VIVIFRAIL program) in addition to HMB supplementation on older adults’ health
Summary
This paper outlines the protocol for a randomized, placebo-controlled study to determine the efficacy of HMB supplementation in addition to 24-weeks of multicomponent exercise and resistance training in adults ≥70 years old. Acknowledgements *The HEAL study group: Jesús García Pallarés –Human Performance and Sports Science Laboratory, Department of Physical Activity and Sport, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Murcia, Spain. Alejandro Martínez Cava –Human Performance and Sports Science Laboratory, Department of Physical Activity and Sport, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Murcia, Spain. Alejandro Sánchez Pay –Human Performance and Sports Science Laboratory, Department of Physical Activity and Sport, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Murcia, Spain. All the authors read the draft, made contributions and approved the final manuscript Funding This protocol has been peer-reviewed and funded by the Autonomous Community of the Region of Murcia, Regional Program for the Promotion of Scientific and Technical Research (Action Plan 2018), Seneca FoundationAgency of Science and Technology, Region of Murcia (ID: 20872/PI/18). Competing interests The authors declare that they have no competing interests
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