Effect of resistance training on quality of life in older people with sarcopenic obesity living in long-term care institutions: A quasi-experimental study

Abstract

[[abstract]]Aims and objectives: To measure the effect of chair resistance training (RT) on the quality of life (QoL) of older long-term care residents with sarcopenic obesity (SO). Background: Sarcopenia combined with obesity, commonly called SO, is considered to be related to health-related QoL. Despite concerns regarding SO-related long-term healthcare issues, intervention studies on SO residents in nursing homes are scant in Taiwan. Design: This research was a quasi-experiment conducted according to the TREND Checklist. A total of 123 older persons were enrolled from six nursing facilities. The RT was implemented between October 2015-March 2016. Method: The intervention group received progressive RT with sandbags/dumbbells twice a week for 3 months, whereas the comparison group received the usual care. QoL was the major outcome variable. Data were analysed using chi-square test, Student's t test and generalised estimating equation (GEE). Results: The various definition criteria for SO can influence the results of QoL in the older persons. From the body composition perspective, in the GEE analysis, the SO cut-off points for neither skeletal muscle mass percentage (SMMp) nor appendicular skeletal muscle mass index demonstrated significant between-group differences in the QoL variable after the 3-month RT intervention. Between-group analysis revealed a significant effect of time on anxiety/depression [Exp(B): 0.41, 95% confidence interval: 0.18-0.93, p-value < .05] in participants who met all three criteria of the definition of SO (low SMMp, low handgrip strength, and obesity). RT was one of the protective factors. Conclusion: In the SO group, the effect of muscle strength on QoL is greater than the effect of changes in body composition after RT. Relevance to clinical practice: This study analysed the influence of RT on QoL in subjects with different categories of SO. RT is one of the ways to promote QoL among the SO population. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02912338