Effects of a Customized Physical Activity Program on Community-Dwelling Older Men with Sarcopenia

Abstract

Sarcopenia is characterized by decreased muscle mass and muscular function related to aging and is a risk factor for geriatric illnesses. There is a need for physical activity programs appropriate for older men as most existing studies have focused on women. We aimed to develop and validate the effects of a customized physical activity program for male older adults with sarcopenia in South Korea. A non-equivalent control group pre-test and post-test design was used. The experimental group was provided with group education sessions and a customized physical activity program with individual intervention for 12 weeks. The control group was advised to continue their usual lifestyle and provided with education about sarcopenia, guidelines concerning physical activities, posters, and video clips after experiment completion. The groups differed significantly in self-efficacy, insulin-like growth factor-1, lower extremity endurance, and flexibility post-intervention. The customized physical activity program for male older adults with sarcopenia effectively improved participants’ health-related outcomes. The physical activity program developed in this study was effective in improving participants’ self-efficacy, insulin-like growth factor-1, and elasticity, and in alleviating decreases in lower limb endurance. Thus, it is necessary to systematically support such physical activity programs to help older adults address their sarcopenia.