Health Promotion With Targeted Exercise Intervention for Decreasing Fall Risk and Inactivity in Aging Veterans With Obesity and Signs of Sarcopenia
VA Office of Research and Development
Summary
Falls are a major health risk for older Veterans, especially those with both obesity and low muscle mass or strength (sarcopenia), which together increase the chances of falling and losing independence. Many older Veterans have difficulty staying active and often lack information about how to safely exercise. While current guidelines focus mostly on weight loss, losing weight alone can weaken muscles and bones, which may actually raise the risk of falls and injuries. This study is testing the benefits of a virtual group exercise program combined with health education. The goal is to find out if exercise combined with health education is better at lowering fall risk and improving daily activity than health education alone for Veterans with obesity and signs of sarcopenia.
Description
Veterans with age-related declines in muscle mass and function, known as sarcopenia, are more likely to experience a fall, functional decline, and have higher mortality risk. Experiencing falls and limited functional mobility related to sarcopenia contributes to poor overall health, limited community participation, and loneliness, especially for Veterans with obesity. This group is uniquely vulnerable, as traditional weight-loss focused interventions may worsen muscle and bone loss, paradoxically increasing fall and injury risk. There is an urgent need to identify a feasible and efficacious in…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 55+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Veteran status * 55 years or older * VA primary care provider * Enrolled in the VA Maryland Health Care System for health care * Body mass index between and including 30 - 40 kg/m\^2 * Showing signs of sarcopenia Exclusion Criteria: * Poorly controlled hypertensin * Home oxygen use * Contraindications to exercise or resistance exercise * Significant cognitive impairment * Other medical condition precluding patient participation in this study per the medical judgement of the study team
Interventions
- OtherFall prevention exercise
Participants will attend a virtual exercise-based group fall prevention class that focuses on movement and obstacle negotiation 3 times per week for 3 months.
- OtherHealth promotion education
Participants will attend a virtual group health promotion education class that focuses on reasons to maintain a healthy lifestyle and local resources to support them in this. The sessions will take place 1 time per week for 3 months.
Location
- Baltimore VA Medical Center VA Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore, MDBaltimore, Maryland