A Study of the Intervention Effect of a Hybrid Exercise Program on Elderly With Sarcopenia

White Box Modeling of Self-Determine Sequence Exercise Program Among Sarcopenic Elderly: Uncovers a Novel Strategy Overcoming Decline of Skeletal Muscle Area

Sarcopenia is a geriatric condition characterized by a progressive decrease in skeletal muscle content and loss of muscle function. Resistance exercise, Taichi exercise and the hybrid exercise program consisting of the two aforementioned methods have been demonstrated could increase the skeletal muscle mass of the elderly with sarcopenia. However, note that the above contents may be performed in a different order in a treatment, equally important but less well understood is the sequence in which it should be performed. Surprisingly, the exercise sequence has not been comprehensively investigated. Therefore, investigators designed a self-ordered exercise program combining resistance exercise, tai chi and a hybrid exercise program to investigate whether the decline in skeletal muscle area could be better overcome and the reversal of sarcopenia in elderly with sarcopenia.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. satisfied the Asian screening criteria for sarcopenia by the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia;
2. age higher than 60 but less than 75 years of age.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. with serious illness or breathing failure;
2. with neuro-muscular diseases;
3. taking medication that has an effect on the function of skeletal muscles;
4. with conditions relating to the neurological system or the mental health;
5. in another scheduled training plan.