Resistance Training Improves Sleep and Anti-Inflammatory Parameters in Sarcopenic Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Sleep and exercise have an important role in the development of several inflammation-related diseases, including sarcopenia. Objective: To investigate the effects of 12 weeks of resistance exercise training on sleep and inflammatory status in sarcopenic patients. Methods: A randomized controlled trial comparing resistance exercise training (RET) with a control (CTL) was conducted. Outcomes were obtained by physical tests, polysomnography, questionnaires, isokinetic/isometric dynamometry tests, and biochemical analysis. Results: Time to sleep onset (sleep latency) was reduced in the RET group compared to the CTL group (16.09 ± 15.21 vs. 29.98 ± 16.09 min; p = 0.04) after the intervention. The percentage of slow-wave sleep (N3 sleep) was increased in the RET group (0.70%, CI: 7.27−16.16 vs. −4.90%, CI: 7.06−16.70; p = 0.04) in an intention to treat analysis. Apnea/hour was reduced in the RET group (16.82 ± 14.11 vs. 7.37 ± 7.55; p = 0.001) and subjective sleep quality was improved compared to the CTL (−1.50; CI: 2.76−6.14 vs. 0.00; CI: 1.67−3.84 p = 0.02) in an intention-to-treat analysis. Levels of interleukin-10 (IL-10) (2.13 ± 0.80 vs. 2.51 ± 0.99; p < 0.03) and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) (0.99 ± 0.10 vs. 0.99 ± 0.10 ng/mL; p < 0.04; delta variation) were increased in the RET group. Conclusions: RET improves sleep parameters linked to muscle performance, possibly due to an increase in anti-inflammatory markers in older sarcopenic patients.

Keywords: aging; physical exercise; skeletal muscle; sleep quality.

Figure 1

Study flow diagram.

Figure 2

Step study diagram. After recruiting the volunteers, full-night sleep polysomnography was performed. Immediately after waking, blood collection was performed, followed by the application of the questionnaire, the handgrip test, and the physical performance test battery. After randomization, allocation, and adaptation to the tests, 1RM (repetition maximum) and PT (peak torque) were performed. After 6 weeks, a new 1RM test was conducted in the RET group to adjust the training load, and 24 h after the end of the 12 weeks of interventions, 1RM and PT were re-evaluated. Sleep, biochemistry, questionnaire, and physical parameters were tested after 48 h post-training. SPPB-Br: Brazilian version of Short Physical Performance Battery; CTL: control group; RET: exercise training.

Figure 3

Sarcopenia criteria analyses. (A)—AMI: Delta variation appendicular muscle index. (B)—Delta variation handgrip strength values. (C)—Delta variation SPPB: Short Physical Performance Battery values. CTL: control; RET: resistance exercise training. * Different from CTL, p < 0.05.

Figure 4

Isokinetic/isometric PT evaluation. (A)—Delta variation isokinetic leg extension PT values. (B)—Delta variation isokinetic leg extension PT/body mass values; (C)—Delta variation isokinetic leg flexion PT values. (D)—delta variation isokinetic leg flexion PT/body mass values. (E)—delta variation isometric leg extension PT values. (F)—delta variation isometric leg extension PT/body mass values. PT: Peak torque. * Different from CTL, p < 0.05.