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Lifestyle Intervention to Improve Mobility in Apparently Healthy Chinese Elders: A Hypothesis Generating Study

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Nutritional Influences on Bone Health

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Abstract

Population aging has emerged as a major demographic trend worldwide due to improved health and longevity. This has a major impact on healthcare systems. In order to have a healthy life in old age, the maintenance of good physical function or mobility is fundamental because it allows older people to perform basic activities of daily living necessary for independence, to avoid falls causing injuries, and hence to have the quality of life they desire.

In this context, it is crucial to attenuate the decline of bone and skeletal muscle strength. Moreover, strategies to maintain joint health and alleviate pain and symptoms are important for quality of life.

Lifestyle intervention including nutrition and exercise programs may play an important role in this aspect. Overall, there is good evidence that exercise is effective in improving mobility in older adults. The complementary benefit of nutrition to physical activity is not well demonstrated, particularly in the case of exercise adapted to elders, such as walking or Tai Chi.

In a recent study, we tested the feasibility of a combined nutrition and exercise approach in healthy, older adults experiencing joint pain and discomfort. The aim was to evaluate if such an intervention could alleviate symptoms, maintain mobility, and improve quality of life in this population. This trial was conducted as a single-arm, baseline trial in a Chinese population, using a mix of Tai Chi, walking, and resistance-type exercise inclusive of a milk-based nutritional supplement (containing important nutrients such as calcium, vitamin D, and protein) and supplemented with glucosamine sulfate. This 6-month intervention program demonstrated improved physical mobility/functionality in healthy older Chinese volunteers.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nestlé Institute of Health Sciences, Nestlé Research Center, Lausanne, Switzerland

    Marie-Noelle Horcajada & Elizabeth A. Offord

Authors
  1. Marie-Noelle Horcajada
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  2. Elizabeth A. Offord
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Correspondence to Marie-Noelle Horcajada .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Nutrition and Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA

    Connie M. Weaver

  2. Geriatrics and Aging Research, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

    Heike Bischoff-Ferrari

  3. Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Deakin University , Melbourne, VIC, Australia

    Robin M. Daly

  4. Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong

    Man-Sau Wong

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Horcajada, MN., Offord, E.A. (2019). Lifestyle Intervention to Improve Mobility in Apparently Healthy Chinese Elders: A Hypothesis Generating Study. In: Weaver, C., Bischoff-Ferrari, H., Daly, R., Wong, MS. (eds) Nutritional Influences on Bone Health. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-98464-3_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-98464-3_11

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-98463-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-98464-3

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