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Beneficial effects of exercise, testosterone, vitamin D, calcium and protein in older men-A randomized clinical trial.

Journal of cachexia, sarcopenia and muscle
August 1, 2024
Mette Midttun et al. (13 authors)
Journal ArticleRandomized Controlled TrialHuman StudyClinical
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to determine whether combining Vitamin D with testosterone, calcium, protein, and progressive resistance training could improve mobility, muscle strength, and quality of life in elderly men with low testosterone.

Results Summary

The combination of Vitamin D with other interventions significantly improved 30-s chair stand test performance, reduced tiredness and leg fat, and increased quality of life and RR interval variability without significant adverse effects.

Population

Men aged ≥70 years with low-normal to low testosterone and mobility problems.

Effective Dosage

Not specified (oral supplement).

Duration

20 weeks.

Interactions

None mentioned.

Extracted Claims (14)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
testosterone undecanoate (TU) injections, progressive strength training, and oral supplements of vitamin D, calcium and protein
increase
30-s chair stand test performance
men of at least 70 years of age with low-normal to low testosterone and mobility problems
median improvement of 3.0
improved
#1
testosterone undecanoate (TU) injections, progressive strength training, and oral supplements of vitamin D, calcium and protein
increase
quality of life
men of at least 70 years of age with low-normal to low testosterone and mobility problems
-
increased
#2
testosterone undecanoate (TU) injections, progressive strength training, and oral supplements of vitamin D, calcium and protein
decrease
tiredness
men of at least 70 years of age with low-normal to low testosterone and mobility problems
-
reduced
#3
testosterone undecanoate (TU) injections, progressive strength training, and oral supplements of vitamin D, calcium and protein
decrease
leg fat
men of at least 70 years of age with low-normal to low testosterone and mobility problems
-
reduced
#4
testosterone undecanoate (TU) injections, progressive strength training, and oral supplements of vitamin D, calcium and protein
increase
RR interval
men of at least 70 years of age with low-normal to low testosterone and mobility problems
-
had higher variability
#5
testosterone undecanoate (TU) injections
decrease
gynoid fat
men of at least 70 years of age with low-normal to low testosterone and mobility problems
-
reduced
#6
testosterone undecanoate (TU) injections
decrease
leg fat
men of at least 70 years of age with low-normal to low testosterone and mobility problems
-
reduced
#7
supplements of testosterone, calcium, vitamin D and protein combined with progressive resistance training
increase
30-s chair stand test performance
men ≥70 years old with low-normal to low testosterone and mobility problems
-
improved
#8
supplements of testosterone, calcium, vitamin D and protein combined with progressive resistance training
increase
muscle strength
men ≥70 years old with low-normal to low testosterone and mobility problems
-
improved
#9
supplements of testosterone, calcium, vitamin D and protein combined with progressive resistance training
increase
quality of life
men ≥70 years old with low-normal to low testosterone and mobility problems
-
improved
#10
supplements of testosterone, calcium, vitamin D and protein combined with progressive resistance training
decrease
tiredness
men ≥70 years old with low-normal to low testosterone and mobility problems
-
reduced
#11
supplements of testosterone, calcium, vitamin D and protein combined with progressive resistance training
decrease
leg fat
men ≥70 years old with low-normal to low testosterone and mobility problems
-
reduced
#12
supplements of testosterone, calcium, vitamin D and protein combined with progressive resistance training
increase
RR interval variability
men ≥70 years old with low-normal to low testosterone and mobility problems
-
increased
#13
supplements or training
no change
adverse effects
men of at least 70 years of age with low-normal to low testosterone and mobility problems
-
no statistically significant increase
#14
Abstract

BACKGROUND: Due to increasing older populations worldwide, injuries, disabilities and deaths caused by falls among the elderly represent a growing human and societal problem. We aimed to improve health among men of at least 70 years of age with low-normal to low testosterone and mobility problems by using testosterone undecanoate (TU) injections, progressive strength training, and oral supplements of vitamin D, calcium and protein. METHODS: This was a single-centre, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial with 148 older men with a median age of 77 (73-81) years, testosterone levels at median 8 (5-9) nmol/L (full range from 1.1 to 12.9 nmol/L) and mobility problems, recruited at University Hospital of Copenhagen, Herlev Hospital, Denmark. Participants were randomized into four arms for 20 weeks: (1) TU therapy (n = 37); (2) progressive resistance training with supplements of calcium, vitamin D and protein (n = 36); (3) both interventions combined (n = 36); or (4) no intervention (n = 39). The main outcome measure was the 30-s chair stand test, due to test performance correlating with the risk of serious fall injuries and lower extremity muscle strength. Outcome measurements were performed at baseline and after 20 weeks. RESULTS: After the intervention, the combination group receiving progressive resistance training, TU and supplements achieved a median score of 13 (11-15) compared to the control group at 10 (0-14) in the 30-s chair stand test (P = 0.003). This median improvement of 3.0 was clinically important. Compared to the control group, participants in the combination group also increased quality of life (P < 0.05) and reduced both tiredness (P < 0.05) and leg fat (P < 0.05) and had higher variability in the RR interval (P < 0.01). The group receiving TU reduced gynoid and leg fat compared to the control group (both P < 0.05). Blood tests improved for several variables, especially in the combination group. There was no statistically significant increase in adverse effects from either the supplements or training. CONCLUSIONS: In men ≥70 years old with low-normal to low testosterone and mobility problems, supplements of testosterone, calcium, vitamin D and protein combined with progressive resistance training improved 30-s chair stand test performance, muscle strength and quality of life. Both tiredness and leg fat were reduced, and RR interval variability was increased. Significant adverse effects were not observed.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AgedAged, 80 and overHumansMaleCalciumDietary ProteinsDietary SupplementsDouble-Blind MethodExerciseMuscle StrengthResistance TrainingTestosteroneVitamin D
Study Links
Quality Scores
Safety90
Efficacy85/10
Quality88/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations4
Citations/Year4.0
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.75
Weight Score3.00
Normalized Score0.88
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