Bloodflow Restricted Exercise in Healthy Ageing

Bloodflow Restricted Exercise in Healthy Ageing

The overall objective of this study is to investigate the efficacy of low-intensity blood flow restricted resistance exercise (BFRRE) to promote health beneficial skeletal muscle adaptations and augment muscle function in a healthy older population. This objective will be achieved by in-dept evaluation of skeletal muscle cellular and functional characteristics prior to and after an intervention period comprising 6 weeks of BFRRE or non-exercise control intervention in healthy older subjects. A special focus is placed on the ability of BFRRE to stimulate skeletal muscle protein synthesis and augment muscle stem cell function.

Furthermore, recent findings suggests that similar exercise interventions in a population of patients with heart failure (HF) does not stimulate the desired adaptations. In accordance, we aim to compare the adaptive response to BFRRE amongst HF patients and the enrolled age-matched healthy individuals from the present investigation.

The findings of the current study will expand our understanding of how low-intensity resistance exercise alternatives might be viable in promoting muscle anabolism to combat the loss of muscle mass observed with ageing as well as the potential anabolic resistance accompanying HF diagnosis.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Able to understand the written and spoken information and to give informed consent for inclusion.
• Age between 45 and 80 years
• Able to sit in a knee extension machine
• Able to deliver muscle biopsies
• Able to train 3 times per week during a 6-week period

Exclusion Criteria:

• Known history of cardiac disease
• Habitual exercise with high intensity > 2 times pr. week within the past 6 months
• Pregnancy
• Diabetes mellitus
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Dialysis treatment
• Severe peripheral arterial disease
• Concomitant acute life threatening medical condition
• Intracranial aneurisms, arteriovenous malformation, cerebral neoplasm or abscess
• Severe arterial hypertension (≥ 180/≥ 110 mmHg) or moderate arterial hypertension (160-179/100-109) despite medical treatment
• Moderate or severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Decreased kidney function - eGFR < 60 ml/min