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Effect of structured physical activity and nutritional supplementation on physical function in mobility-limited older adults: Results from the VIVE2 randomized trial

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The journal of nutrition, health & aging

Abstract

Objectives

The interactions between nutritional supplementation and physical activity on changes in physical function among older adults remain unclear. The primary objective of this study was to examine the impact of nutritional supplementation plus structured physical activity on 400M walk capacity in mobility-limited older adults across two sites (Boston, USA and Stockholm, Sweden).

Design

All subjects participated in a physical activity program (3x/week for 24 weeks), involving walking, strength, balance, and flexibility exercises. Subjects were randomized to a daily nutritional supplement (150kcal, 20g whey protein, 800 IU vitamin D) or placebo (30kcal, non-nutritive).

Setting

Participants were recruited from urban communities at 2 field centers in Boston MA USA and Stockholm SWE.

Participants

Mobility-limited (Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) ≤9) and vitamin D insufficient (serum 25(OH) D 9 - 24 ng/ml) older adults were recruited for this study.

Measurements

Primary outcome was gait speed assessed by the 400M walk. Results: 149 subjects were randomized into the study (mean age=77.5±5.4; female=46.3%; mean SPPB= 7.9±1.2; mean 25(OH)D=18.7±6.4 ng/ml). Adherence across supplement and placebo groups was similar (86% and 88%, respectively), and was also similar across groups for the physical activity intervention (75% and 72%, respectively). Both groups demonstrated an improvement in gait speed with no significant difference between those who received the nutritional supplement compared to the placebo (0.071 and 0.108 m/s, respectively (p=0.06)). Similar effects in physical function were observed using the SPPB. Serum 25(OH)D increased in supplemented group compared to placebo 7.4 ng/ml versus 1.3 ng/ml respectively.

Conclusion

Results suggest improved gait speed following physical activity program with no further improvement with added nutritional supplementation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nutrition, Exercise Physiology, and Sarcopenia Laboratory, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, 711 Washington Street, Boston, MA, USA

    Roger A. Fielding, D. R. Kirn, K. F. Reid & C. K. Liu

  2. Institute for Aging Research, Hebrew SeniorLife, Boston, MA, USA

    T. G. Travison & H. Zhu

  3. Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    T. G. Travison

  4. Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism, Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden

    A. Koochek, Å. von Berens & T. Cederholm

  5. Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden

    M. Lilja & T. Gustafsson

  6. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA

    S. C. Folta, J. M. Sacheck & M. E. Nelson

  7. Sustainability Institute, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, USA

    M. E. Nelson

  8. Section of Geriatrics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA

    C. K. Liu

  9. Department of Food, Nutrition and Dietetics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden

    A. C. Åberg & M. Nydahl

  10. Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden

    M. Lilja & T. Gustafsson

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  1. Roger A. Fielding
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  2. T. G. Travison
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  3. D. R. Kirn
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Correspondence to Roger A. Fielding.

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Fielding, R.A., Travison, T.G., Kirn, D.R. et al. Effect of structured physical activity and nutritional supplementation on physical function in mobility-limited older adults: Results from the VIVE2 randomized trial. J Nutr Health Aging 21, 936–942 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-017-0936-x

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