Discussion
hypertrophy, sarcopenia
HYPERTROPHY, SARCOPENIA
The main aim of this pilot study was to assess the effectiveness of elastic band training regarding group-based dance on fat mass, fat-free mass, HGS, leg strength, TUG, and walking speed in older women with sarcopenia. The main findings show that adding elastic bands to a physical training regimen enhances fat-free mass, HGS (both dominant and non-dominant hands), leg strength, TUG, and walking speed. Similar outcomes have previously been noted in older people, where six weeks of elastic bands exercise led to statistically significant improvements in TUG and fat mass [The strength of the muscles in the upper and lower limbs significantly enhanced, according to the findings of our study. The upper limb values grew by roughly 10.5%, whereas the lower limbs values rose by about 9%. However, the GBD’s muscle strength did not increase. These results are in line with those of Chen, Wu [After six weeks of elastic bands training, older people with sarcopenia increased their fat-free mass by 11%. Although during resistance training, it has been seen that during the first weeks, the neural adaptations are greater than those of hypertrophy [Regarding TUG and walking speed tests, a significant decrease was observed in the time it took older women with sarcopenia who were trained with elastic bands to perform the tests. The unstable modality of the elastic bands produces greater muscle activation than traditional training, allowing a more efficient motor performance during walking and maintaining postural balance [On the other hand, the duration of the elastic band and group-based dance interventions used in our study—12 weeks, three sessions per week lasting 60 min each—are in line with the guidelines for physical activity for older people [This study’s potential limitations include a lack of control over food intake and a failure to complete a food record (to understand the participants’ dietary profiles, including their protein, carbohydrate, lipid, and micronutrient intake), both of which could affect the participants’ body composition and levels of physical fitness. The lack of inclusion of male participants did not bring the possibility to expand the range of these findings and allow for a more comprehensive comparison between different groups and sex; in addition to considering only the older women who completed ≥ 85% of all training sessions, which could limit the analysis. Therefore, to study potential differences in the efficacy of elastic band training on enhancing physical-functional performance and preventing sarcopenia between sexes, future research may benefit from using a broad sample population that includes both men and women. The inclusion of an active control group and participant randomization, which improves the study’s internal consistency, are its key advantages. The external validity is also increased through the use of protocolized, validated assessments and scientifically based training design.