Abstract
The aim of the study was to assess the effect of a polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids (PUFA) supplementation on the parameters of body composition, muscle strength and physical performance in elderly people with decreased muscle mass (DMM). Fifty three elderly people with an ALM index (the ratio of appendicular lean mass to squared height) either below (−2SD: low muscle mass-LMM) or between (−1SD and −2SD: the risk of LMM-rLMM) the ALM index for the young Polish reference population were randomly assigned to PUFA-treated groups (LMM-PUFA, rLMM-PUFA) or control groups (LMM-control, rLMM-control). PUFA-treated groups received capsules containing 1.3 g of PUFA and 10 mg of vitamin E, while the control groups received 11 mg of vitamin E daily for 12 weeks. Body composition (BIA analysis), muscle strength (hand grip measured with dynamometer) and physical performance (Timed Up and Go test-TUG) were assessed before and after supplementation. No statistically significant differences were observed either in muscle mass or in the hand grip and TUG in any group. The post-pre difference (mean ± SD) in ALM index was as follows (kg/m2): LMM-PUFA: 0.00 ± 0.30, rLMM-PUFA: 0.00 ± 0.22, LMM-control: 0.03 ± 0.36, rLMM-control: –0.03 ± 0.20. In our study, a 12 week supplementation of PUFA did not affect the evaluated parameters in elderly individuals with DMM.
Highlights
IntroductionDemographic projections show that the number of elderly individuals is continuing to grow
Demographic projections show that the number of elderly individuals is continuing to grow.According to the Eurostat data, in 2012, those aged 65 and more represented 17.9% of the European population and 5.1% were at least 80 years old
The primary objective of the study was to examine the effect of omega-3 supplementation on body composition, muscle strength and physical performance in subjects with decreased muscle mass
Summary
Demographic projections show that the number of elderly individuals is continuing to grow. According to the Eurostat data, in 2012, those aged 65 and more represented 17.9% of the European population and 5.1% were at least 80 years old. The elderly population is expected to grow to 28% of the European population by 2050 and the number of those aged 80 or more is predicted to double [1]. The priority is to ensure that they remain independent. Human body composition changes over the lifetime. Ageing results in a gradual decline of muscle mass (after the age of 50, at a rate of 1%–2% annually), most frequently accompanied by decreased muscle strength (of 1.5% per year, accelerating to 3% yearly after the age of 60) and/or physical performance deterioration
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