Effect of 12-week elastic-band resistance training on muscle quality and serum CAF in elderly women with osteocsarcopenic obesity: a randomized clinical trial

Introduction: Osteosarcopenic obesity results from multiple muscle and bone degradation and increase in fat tissue. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of 12 weeks elastic-band resistance training on muscle quality and serum CAF in elderly women with osteosarcopenic obesity. Method: In this randomized, single blind randomized clinical trial, 48 elderly women with osteosarcopenic obesity (based on the results of the DEXA test, age 64.63 ± 3.68, fat percentage 45.4 ± 6.6, BMI 3.71 ± 1/33, T score of bone minerals density of femur and 1-4 lumbar spine  -1.86 ± 1.42) were randomly divided to control (n = 22) and exercise (n = 26). The training group performed a 12 weeks and three sessions at week elastic-band resistance training for all major muscle groups. 48 hours before and after 12 weeks of intervention, a DEXA-test was performed. Independent sample t-test was used for intra-group comparisons and two-way ANOVA (group* time) was used for comparison between groups. Results: The results of statistical analysis showed that after 12 weeks of elastic-band resistance training as a result of between-group comparisons, there was a significant difference in muscle quality (P = 0.043), Z score of osteosarcopenic obesity (P = 0.303), and hand grip (P = 0.013) was observed between the training and control groups. However, there were not observed significant difference in weight (P = 0.440), body mass index (P = 0.354), fat percentage (P = 0.093), BMC (P = 0.001), BMD (P = 0.564) gait speed (P = 0.22) and CAF (P = 0.501). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, elastic-band resistance training improves muscle strength, muscule quality and the status of osteosarcopenic obesity (Z score) in elderly women with osteosarcopenic obesity. Also, due to the lack of significant changes in CAF, at least in this study, CAF is not confirmed as a powerful indicator of muscle quality and physical function. Keywords: Osteosarcopenic obesity, Resistance training, Elderly, muscle quality, C-Terminal Agrin Fragment (CAF)