Beneficial effects of exercise, testosterone, vitamin D, calcium and protein in older men-A randomized clinical trial.
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.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
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.