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Unlocking the barriers to improved functional capacity in the elderly: rationale and design for the "Fit for Life trial".

Publication ,  Journal Article
Allen, JD; Robbins, JL; Vanbruggen, MD; Credeur, DP; Johannsen, NM; Earnest, CP; Pieper, CF; Johnson, JL; Church, TS; Ravussin, E; Kraus, WE ...
Published in: Contemp Clin Trials
September 2013

Advancing age is associated with an increase in physical impairment, functional limitations, disability, and loss of independence. Regular physical activity conveys health benefits, but the yield on physical function in the elderly, is less clear. Current exercise guidelines are focused predominantly on aerobic programs despite evidence that age-associated declines are mediated by peripheral tissue changes. The Fit for Life trial proposes a new paradigm of exercise training for the elderly that uses a low-mass high-repetition training regimen specifically focused on peripheral tissue beds or body regions (Regional Specific Training Stimulus - RSTS). RSTS is designed to deliver a localized stimulus to the peripheral vasculature, bone and muscle, without imposing a significant central cardiorespiratory strain. The purpose of this study is three-fold; 1) to derive effect sizes from the RSTS intervention by which to power a subsequent larger, confirmatory trial; 2) to assess fidelity of the RSTS intervention; and 3) to assess the interrelationship of the primary endpoints of physical impairment/fitness (VO(2peak), 1 repetition maximal contraction) and function (Senior Fitness Test scores) following two versions of a 4 + 8 week protocol. Men and women over 70 years, at risk for losing independence will be randomized to either 4 weeks of RSTS or "aerobic" exercise, followed by an identical 8 weeks of progressive whole-body training (aerobic plus resistance). The guiding hypothesis is that the magnitude of adaptation after 12 weeks will be greatest in those initially randomized to RSTS. Possible mediators of the intervention effect - physical impairment/fitness and function relationship, including vascular function, muscle mass, strength, and physiology will also be assessed.

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Published In

Contemp Clin Trials

DOI

EISSN

1559-2030

Publication Date

September 2013

Volume

36

Issue

1

Start / End Page

266 / 275

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Resistance Training
  • Research Design
  • Quality of Life
  • Public Health
  • Physical Fitness
  • Oxygen Consumption
  • Muscle Strength
  • Male
  • Humans
  • General Clinical Medicine
 

Citation

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Allen, J. D., Robbins, J. L., Vanbruggen, M. D., Credeur, D. P., Johannsen, N. M., Earnest, C. P., … Welsch, M. A. (2013). Unlocking the barriers to improved functional capacity in the elderly: rationale and design for the "Fit for Life trial". Contemp Clin Trials, 36(1), 266–275. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cct.2013.07.007
Allen, Jason D., Jennifer L. Robbins, Mitch D. Vanbruggen, Daniel P. Credeur, Neil M. Johannsen, Conrad P. Earnest, Carl F. Pieper, et al. “Unlocking the barriers to improved functional capacity in the elderly: rationale and design for the "Fit for Life trial".Contemp Clin Trials 36, no. 1 (September 2013): 266–75. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cct.2013.07.007.
Allen JD, Robbins JL, Vanbruggen MD, Credeur DP, Johannsen NM, Earnest CP, et al. Unlocking the barriers to improved functional capacity in the elderly: rationale and design for the "Fit for Life trial". Contemp Clin Trials. 2013 Sep;36(1):266–75.
Allen, Jason D., et al. “Unlocking the barriers to improved functional capacity in the elderly: rationale and design for the "Fit for Life trial".Contemp Clin Trials, vol. 36, no. 1, Sept. 2013, pp. 266–75. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/j.cct.2013.07.007.
Allen JD, Robbins JL, Vanbruggen MD, Credeur DP, Johannsen NM, Earnest CP, Pieper CF, Johnson JL, Church TS, Ravussin E, Kraus WE, Welsch MA. Unlocking the barriers to improved functional capacity in the elderly: rationale and design for the "Fit for Life trial". Contemp Clin Trials. 2013 Sep;36(1):266–275.
Journal cover image

Published In

Contemp Clin Trials

DOI

EISSN

1559-2030

Publication Date

September 2013

Volume

36

Issue

1

Start / End Page

266 / 275

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Resistance Training
  • Research Design
  • Quality of Life
  • Public Health
  • Physical Fitness
  • Oxygen Consumption
  • Muscle Strength
  • Male
  • Humans
  • General Clinical Medicine