Serum albumin levels as a predictive biomarker for low-load resistance training programs' effects on muscle thickness in the community-dwelling elderly Japanese population: interventional study result

Shuji Sawada; Hayao Ozaki; Toshiharu Natsume; Daiki Nakano; Pengyu Deng; Toshinori Yoshihara; Takuya Osawa; Hiroyuki Kobayashi; Shuichi Machida; Hisashi Naito

doi:10.1186/s12877-021-02403-7

Serum albumin levels as a predictive biomarker for low-load resistance training programs' effects on muscle thickness in the community-dwelling elderly Japanese population: interventional study result

BMC Geriatr. 2021 Aug 18;21(1):464. doi: 10.1186/s12877-021-02403-7.

Authors

Shuji Sawada¹, Hayao Ozaki^{2

3}, Toshiharu Natsume^{1

4}, Daiki Nakano^{5

6}, Pengyu Deng^{2

6}, Toshinori Yoshihara^{2

6}, Takuya Osawa^{1

7}, Hiroyuki Kobayashi⁸, Shuichi Machida^{9

10

11

12}, Hisashi Naito^{1

2

6

13}

Affiliations

¹ COI Project Center, Juntendo University, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan.
² School of Health and Sports Science, Juntendo University, 1-1 Hirakagakuendai, Inzai, Chiba, 270-1695, Japan.
³ School of Sport and Health Science, Tokai Gakuen University, 21-233 Nishinohora, Ukigai, Miyoshi, Aichi, 470-0207, Japan.
⁴ Department of Human Structure & Function, Tokai University School of Medicine, 143 Shimokasuya, Isehara, Kanagawa, 259-1193, Japan.
⁵ Ritsumeikan Global Innovation Research Organization, Ritsumeikan University, 1-1-1 Noji-higashi, Kusatsu, Shiga, 525-8577, Japan.
⁶ Graduate School of Health and Sports Science, Juntendo University, 1-1 Hirakagakuendai, Inzai, Chiba, 270-1695, Japan.
⁷ Faculty of Sports and Health Sciences, Japan Women's College of Physical Education, 8-19-1, Kitakarasuyama, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, 157-8565, Japan.
⁸ Department of Internal Medicine, Mito Kyodo General Hospital, University of Tsukuba, 3-2-7 Miyamachi, Mito, Ibaraki, 310-0015, Japan.
⁹ COI Project Center, Juntendo University, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan. machidas@juntendo.ac.jp.
¹⁰ School of Health and Sports Science, Juntendo University, 1-1 Hirakagakuendai, Inzai, Chiba, 270-1695, Japan. machidas@juntendo.ac.jp.
¹¹ Graduate School of Health and Sports Science, Juntendo University, 1-1 Hirakagakuendai, Inzai, Chiba, 270-1695, Japan. machidas@juntendo.ac.jp.
¹² Institute of Health and Sports Science & Medicine, Juntendo University, 1-1 Hirakagakuendai, Inzai, Chiba, 270-1695, Japan. machidas@juntendo.ac.jp.
¹³ Institute of Health and Sports Science & Medicine, Juntendo University, 1-1 Hirakagakuendai, Inzai, Chiba, 270-1695, Japan.

Abstract

Background: Resistance training has been recommended as an effective measure against age-related loss of muscle mass and muscle strength, called sarcopenia, even in older adults. However, despite subjecting each participant to the same training program, the training effect solely depended on the individual. This study aimed to evaluate whether certain blood parameters influenced the effect of a low-load resistance training program on muscle thickness in the community-dwelling elderly population.

Methods: Sixty-nine community-dwelling Japanese (49 women and 20 men) subjects aged 69.4 ± 6.5 years were included. Low-load resistance training was performed twice a week for 12 weeks. Muscle thickness at the anterior aspects of the thigh (AT) was measured using a B-mode ultrasound device, and 22 blood parameter levels were assessed before and after the program. We checked the first quartile value of each parameter to establish cutoff values, and participants were divided into low or normal groups for each parameter.

Results: A low-load resistance training program significantly increased muscle thickness at the AT. The interaction between time and groups was examined at low (< 4.1 g/dL) versus normal (≥ 4.1 g/dL) serum albumin (Alb) levels. Although there was no difference in muscle thickness at the AT before the training intervention, the hypertrophic effects were higher in the normal serum Alb level group than in the low serum Alb level group. The binomial logistic regression analysis showed that participants in the low serum Alb group had an odds ratio of 7.08 for decreased muscle thickness at the AT. The effect of a low-load resistance training program on lower limb muscle thickness appears to be limited in participants with low serum Alb levels before training interventions.

Conclusions: Serum Alb level may act as a biomarker to predict the effects of low-load resistance training programs on muscle hypertrophy in elderly individuals.

Trial registration: This study was retrospectively registered in UMIN-Clinical Trial Registry (CTR), ID: UMIN000042759 (date of registration, 14 Dec 2020).

Keywords: Aged; Muscle hypertrophy; Resistance training; Serum albumin.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Aged
Biomarkers
Female
Humans
Independent Living
Japan
Male
Muscle Strength
Muscle, Skeletal / diagnostic imaging
Resistance Training*
Serum Albumin

Substances

Biomarkers
Serum Albumin

Associated data

UMIN-CTR/UMIN000042759