Combined Effects of Resistance Training and Nutritional Supplements in the Treatment of Sarcopenia

Age-related sarcopenia is associated with increased morbidity, mortality, disability and reduced resistance to metabolic stress. The aim of this study is to assess the effects of resistance training, associated or not with oral nutritional supplements, on skeletal muscle mass in sarcopenic subjects. This is a prospective randomised controlled single-centre study that will last two years, three months for a participant. 200 healthy elderly (70-80 years old) subjects will be screened for sarcopenia by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. 128 sarcopenic subjects will be randomized into 4 groups: * group 1: controls * group 2: oral nutritional supplement (260 kcal and 20 g protein per day) * group 3: resistance training (3 times per week) * group 4: oral nutritional supplement + resistance training Every subject will be assessed at the beginning and at the end of 12 weeks of intervention on: * muscle mass (DXA) * muscle function (dynamometers) * hormonal (testosterone, GH, IGF-1, cortisol) and inflammatory (IL-6, TNF-alpha) profiles * food intake. Ten subjects in group 4 will undergo a muscle biopsy (quadriceps) before and after the intervention in order to explore protein and mRNA levels of the mTOR pathway, which may be involved in sarcopenia.