Plain English Summary
Background and study aims
Bone loss and muscle loss can occur together for a number of reasons, including dietary deficiencies and lack of exercise. This can result in osteoporosis (bone weakness), fractures, falls and disability. The aim of this study is to find out whether a simple resistance exercise programme with or without a leucine-enriched essential amino acids (EAAs) and vitamin D supplement, can improve bone and muscle health.
Who can participate?
Community-dwelling women aged 65 or over
What does the study involve?
Participants are randomly allocated to one of three groups. The first group takes part in a home-based exercise intervention. The second group also takes part in the same exercise intervention but is also asked to consume an amino acid and vitamin D supplement alongside this. The third group does not need to do anything different (control group). The exercise programme consists of progressive resistance exercises with the aim of strengthening the dominant wrist and forearm. The exercise intervention is 20-30 minutes, three times a week. The dietary supplement is a unique leucine-enriched essential amino acid (EAA) protein and vitamin D blend, taken twice daily (with breakfast and with lunch). The interventions end at 6 months. Bone density, body composition, muscle strength and function are measured at the start of the study and after 3 and 6 months. One blood sample is taken to test important markers including bone turnover at the start and at 3 months.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
At the third appointment (week 24), participants receive feedback on all of their results. If they are found to have low bone density or deficient bone turnover, participants are advised to make an appointment with their GP and take their results with them to that appointment. Lifestyle advice is provided by the study team. At the end of the study (week 24), everyone is given information on the exercise programme and the overall results of the study. There is a chance for some slight discomfort with the blood test, although this will be very brief and feel more like a sharp scratch. A trained and experienced phlebotomist conducts the blood test and all regulatory procedures are followed. Because measuring bone density uses x-rays, this involves a small dose of radiation. The total dose from participation in this study is about 28μSv, which is equivalent to about 4 days of natural background radiation. As with all exercise, there is a risk of injury with the exercise programme and tests. The exercise programme is home-based and to minimise the risk of injury, participants are provided with instructions on how to perform the exercises safely (e.g., perform the exercises where it is safe and there are no trip hazards). The programme is also progressive and matched to participant ability at their first appointment.
Where is the study run from?
Leeds Beckett University (UK)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
October 2016 to June 2018
Who is funding the study?
Leeds Beckett University (UK)
Who is the main contact?
Dr Karen Hind
Trial website
Contact information
Type
Scientific
Primary contact
Dr Karen Hind
ORCID ID
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4546-5536
Contact details
Fairfax Hall
Headingley Campus
Leeds Beckett University
Leeds
LS6 3QS
United Kingdom
Additional identifiers
EudraCT number
ClinicalTrials.gov number
Protocol/serial number
1
Study information
Scientific title
Efficacy of a targeted resistance exercise programme with and without leucine and vitamin D-enriched protein supplementation for preventing bone loss and improving muscle strength in older women: a randomised controlled trial
Acronym
ELDAS
Study hypothesis
Bone loss with advancing age is exacerbated by muscle loss, sedentary lifestyle and dietary deficiencies. Leading to increased fragility fracture risk and disability, age-related bone loss represents a significant challenge to current and future health systems. Interventions that can improve both bone and muscle strength or slow their rate of decline with age are urgently needed. Bone strength is augmented by mechanical loading through exercise and direct muscle force. Regarding nutrition, the positive effects of essential amino acids (EAAs) on muscle function and early animal model studies suggest bone anabolic potential through effects on bone metabolism.
The study hypothesis is that targeted resistance exercise will show positive effects on bone turnover at 3 months and bone density and muscle strength at 6 months, and that these effects will be augmented in women who also take the leucine and vitamin D supplement.
Ethics approval
Leeds Beckett University Research Ethics Committee, 29/03/2017, ref: DW2017001
Study design
Single-centre randomised controlled trial
Primary study design
Interventional
Secondary study design
Randomised controlled trial
Trial setting
Home
Trial type
Prevention
Patient information sheet
Not available in web format, please use contact details to request a participant information sheet
Condition
Osteoporosis and sarcopenia
Intervention
Sixty women aged 65+ years will be randomised to one of three groups. The minimisation method of randomisation will be employed. The first participant will be fully randomised to an intervention and thereafter, further participants will be randomised so that the groups are matched for age and bone mineral density. This minimises the imbalance between groups at baseline.
Group A: Home-based exercise intervention
Group B: Home-based exercise intervention and leucine and vitamin D enriched supplement
Group C: No intervention (no treatment)
The dietary supplement comprises of a unique leucine-enriched essential amino acid (EAA) protein and vitamin D blend, taken twice daily (with breakfast and with lunch). The exercise programme consists of progressive resistance exercises with the aim of strengthening the dominant wrist and forearm. The exercise intervention is 20-30 minutes, 3 x week and unilateral for the upper body. As such the non-dominant forearm and wrist will be exercised, with the dominant forearm being the within-person control. The interventions end at 6 months.
Intervention type
Mixed
Phase
Drug names
Primary outcome measure
1. Biochemical markers (serum measures of osteocalcin (bone turnover), C-terminal telopeptide (bone resorption), pro-collagen 1 intact N-terminal (bone formation), 25[OH] D (vitamin D), insulin-like growth factor-1), measured at 0 and 3 months
2. Bone mineral density of the forearm, measured using DXA at 0, 3 and 6 months
Secondary outcome measures
1. Bone mineral density of the spine and hip, measured using DXA at 0 and 6 months
2. Lean and fat mass, measured using DXA at 0, 3 and 6 months
3. Senior Fitness Test (hand grip, sit to stand test, gait speed over 6 m, and 6 minute walk test), measured at 0, 3 and 6 months
4. Wrist strength, measured using 30 sec wrist curl test at 0, 3 and 6 months
Control outcomes
1. Lifetime physical activity and physical activity in the last 12 months, measured using the bone specific physical activity questionnaire at 0, 3 and 6 months
2. Dietary evaluation using a self-report 3-day diary at 0, 6, 12 and 18 weeks
Overall trial start date
01/10/2016
Overall trial end date
30/06/2018
Reason abandoned (if study stopped)
Eligibility
Participant inclusion criteria
1. Community-dwelling women aged 65 or over
2. Not currently engaged in upper body exercise training (within last 6 months)
3. Not using any medications for osteoporosis and not using any medications that can affect bone metabolism
4. Do not have an underlying disease that impairs bone metabolism, such as hyper/hypoparathyroidism, renal disease and malabsorptive conditions
Participant type
Healthy volunteer
Age group
Senior
Gender
Female
Target number of participants
60
Participant exclusion criteria
1. Currently engaged in upper body exercise training (or within last 6 months)
2. Using medications for osteoporosis
3. Using any medications that can affect bone metabolism
4. Have an underlying disease that impairs bone metabolism, such as hyper/hypoparathyroidism, renal disease and malabsorptive conditions
5. Recent forearm fracture (within the last 6 months)
Recruitment start date
24/06/2017
Recruitment end date
01/11/2017
Locations
Countries of recruitment
United Kingdom
Trial participating centre
Leeds Beckett University
Headingley Campus
Leeds
LS6 3QS
United Kingdom
Funders
Funder type
University/education
Funder name
Leeds Beckett University
Alternative name(s)
Leeds Beckett
Funding Body Type
private sector organisation
Funding Body Subtype
Universities (academic only)
Location
United Kingdom
Results and Publications
Publication and dissemination plan
1. Cross-sectional findings will be published as soon as available
2. The main trial findings will be submitted for publication in summer 2018
3. All participants and relevant charities/organisations will be invited to an event for public dissemination (fact-sheets, talks and Q&As)
IPD sharing statement
The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are/will be available upon request from Dr Karen Hind.
Intention to publish date
30/06/2018
Participant level data
Available on request
Basic results (scientific)
Publication list