Effectiveness of elastic band training and group-based dance on physical-functional performance in older women with sarcopenia: a pilot study

Abstract

Background Sarcopenia is a syndrome associated with aging that causes progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and muscle function. In this pilot study, we compared the effectiveness of elastic band training regarding group-based dance on fat mass, fat-free mass, handgrip strength (HGS; dominant and non-dominant hand), leg strength, timed up-and-go (TUG) and walking speed in older women with sarcopenia. Methods This is a randomized controlled trial, single-blind, repeated measures of parallel groups (elastic band group: EBG, n = 21; group-based dance: GBD, n = 19), and a quantitative methodology. Three 60-minute sessions per week for 12 weeks were dedicated to the interventions with pre- and post-assessments. A two-factor mixed analysis of variance (ANOVA) model with repeated measures was performed to measure the group×time effect. Results A significant interaction revealed for fat-free mass (F1,16= 18.91; p < 0.001; EBG + 10.9% vs. GBD − 1.97%), HGS dominant hand (F1,16= 7.44; p = 0.014; EBG + 10.9% vs. GBD + 0.59%), HGS non-dominant hand (F1,16= 6.41; p = 0.022; EBG + 10.21% vs. GBD + 3.80%), leg strength (F1,16= 17.98; p < 0.001; EBG + 9.1% vs. GBD + 3.83%), TUG (F1,16= 7.52; p = 0.014; EBG − 14.7% vs. GBD − 1.0%) and walking speed (F1,16 = 6.40; p = 0.019; EBG − 7.6% vs. GBD − 4.35%) in favor of EBG. Conclusion Elastic band training produces significantly greater responses on physical-functional performance regarding group-based dance in older women with sarcopenia. On the other hand, the EBG revealed a significant improvement in fat-free mass and upper and lower limb muscle strength, as well as a significant decrease time in TUG, and walking speed. Elastic band exercise is a safe, easy, affordable, and effective physical activity strategy, according to the findings.

Effects of a Multicomponent Preventive Intervention in Women at Risk of Sarcopenia: A Pilot Study

“…Because exercise is the primary non-pharmacological treatment option for sarcopenia, resistance band training could be an option for maintaining ASMM [ 41 ]. Hence, the use of resistance bands has proven to have an advantage in offering a greater range of motion and variable resistance; moreover, it is safe, easy, and affordable for older people [ 25 ].…”

“…In addition, variations in the type of dancing, the studied population, the duration of the intervention, and the conditions associated with the exercise (such as clothing, which can sometimes function as extra weight for a person while dancing) can be considered as important variables in addressing the benefits of the exposure [ 42 ]. Therefore, the suggestion is to complement dancing with resistance exercise to improve ASMM, because both approaches can affect strength and ASMM when implemented separately [ 23 , 25 , 36 ].…”

“…One difference was the short duration of the intervention, although recent studies carried out with resistance bands over a six-month program did not report significant changes in ASMM either [ 46 ]. Another difference is the fact that we used a single type of resistance, with one type of elastic band, unlike other studies that implemented different types of resistance [ 25 ]. A third difference is the instrument used to measure ASMM, since favorable changes have been reported after the conduction of imaging techniques such as ultrasound [ 23 ].…”

“…Current research focuses on studying the cognitive and visuospatial effects related to this activity, with interesting findings related to improvements in motivation, some memory aspects, and social cognition, as well as a reduction in distress [ 22 , 23 ]. Dancing can benefit the individual’s physical abilities, as it improves flexibility, resistance, and balance [ 24 ]; it could also be an option for improving grip strength, walking speed, and muscle thickness [ 25 ]. However, the effect of dancing in preventing sarcopenia still needs to be addressed appropriately, because its effects on ASMM have not been addressed.…”