Dorhout Berber Gijsbertha, Wezenbeek Nick, de Groot Lisette C P G M, Grootswagers Pol
Division of Human Nutrition and Health, Wageningen University & Research, Stippeneng 4, PO Box 17, Wageningen, 6700 AA, Netherlands.
2, Research Group Innovation of Human Movement Care, HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands.
JMIR Form Res. 2025 Jan 30;9:e54392. doi: 10.2196/54392.
The lifestyle intervention ProMuscle, which combines resistance exercise and an increased protein intake, was effective in improving muscle strength, muscle mass, and physical functioning in older adults. However, due to a growing shortage of health care professionals, the rapidly growing aging population cannot be personally guided in the future. Therefore, Uni2Move, a scalable web-based variant of ProMuscle, was designed to reach larger groups of older adults without putting additional burden on health care professionals.
The current study investigated the effects of a web-based lifestyle intervention on muscle strength, protein intake, and physical functioning in healthy older adults. In addition, we conducted a qualitative study to gather key insights of the participants involved, as little is known about older adults' perceptions of web-based lifestyle interventions.
A pre-post pilot study was conducted in the Netherlands. In the 24-week intervention, 19 healthy adults aged >55 years were included. They performed resistance training at home twice a week for 24 weeks via web-based workout videos. Videos (45-60 minutes) were recorded by the fitness trainer and mainly focused on training leg muscles. In addition, older adults were advised on increasing protein intake via two web-based consultations by a dietitian in the first 12 weeks and via an e-learning course in the second 12 weeks. Intervention adherence and acceptance was measured in week 25. The 1 repetition maximum knee extension strength, repeated chair rise test, and protein intake were measured at baseline, week 13, and week 25. Linear mixed models were used to test differences over time. Semistructured interviews were used to gather experiences of participants. Atlas.ti version 22 was used to analyze the interviews.
The mean age of participants (n=19) at baseline was 69 (SD 7) years. The 1 repetition maximum knee extension strength and repeated chair rise test improved significantly during the 24-week intervention with a mean difference of 7.0 kg (95% CI 4.8-9.3; P<.001) and -1.2 seconds (95% CI -1.7 to -0.6; P<.001), respectively. Total protein intake per day did not change, whereas protein intake during breakfast had increased significantly after 13 weeks with a mean difference of 6.9 g (95% CI 1.1-12.7; P=.01). Qualitative research revealed that advantages of the program included no need to travel and exercising in their own environment. Disadvantages were the lack of physical interaction and no corrections by the trainer.
The results of the web-based exercise and nutrition intervention Uni2Move indicate potential improvements of muscle strength and physical functioning in healthy middle-aged and older adults. Providing such lifestyle interventions on the internet could reach an increased number of older adults, providing the opportunity to contribute to the health and independence of the rapidly growing aging population.
生活方式干预项目ProMuscle将抗阻运动与增加蛋白质摄入量相结合，对改善老年人的肌肉力量、肌肉质量和身体机能有效。然而，由于医疗保健专业人员日益短缺，未来迅速增长的老年人口无法得到个人指导。因此，设计了ProMuscle的可扩展网络版Uni2Move，以惠及更多老年人群体，而不给医疗保健专业人员增加额外负担。
本研究调查了基于网络的生活方式干预对健康老年人肌肉力量、蛋白质摄入量和身体机能的影响。此外，我们进行了一项定性研究，以收集相关参与者的关键见解，因为对于老年人对基于网络的生活方式干预的看法知之甚少。
在荷兰进行了一项前后对照的试点研究。在为期24周的干预中，纳入了19名年龄超过55岁的健康成年人。他们通过网络健身视频，每周在家进行两次抗阻训练，为期24周。视频（45 - 60分钟）由健身教练录制，主要聚焦于腿部肌肉训练。此外，在前12周，营养师通过两次网络咨询为老年人提供增加蛋白质摄入量的建议，在后12周通过在线学习课程提供建议。在第25周测量干预的依从性和接受度。在基线、第13周和第25周测量1次最大重复量膝关节伸展力量、重复起坐测试和蛋白质摄入量。使用线性混合模型来检验随时间的差异。采用半结构化访谈来收集参与者的体验。使用Atlas.ti 22版本对访谈进行分析。
基线时参与者（n = 19）的平均年龄为69（标准差7）岁。在为期24周的干预期间，1次最大重复量膝关节伸展力量和重复起坐测试有显著改善，平均差异分别为7.0千克（95%置信区间4.8 - 9.3；P <.001）和 - 1.2秒（95%置信区间 - 1.7至 - 0.6；P <.001）。每日总蛋白质摄入量没有变化，而早餐期间的蛋白质摄入量在13周后显著增加，平均差异为6.9克（95%置信区间1.1 - 12.7；P = 0.01）。定性研究表明，该项目的优点包括无需出行以及能在自己的环境中锻炼。缺点是缺乏身体互动且没有教练的纠正。
基于网络的运动和营养干预项目Uni2Move的结果表明，健康的中年和老年人的肌肉力量和身体机能可能得到改善。在互联网上提供此类生活方式干预可以惠及更多老年人，为迅速增长的老年人口的健康和独立性做出贡献。
