Multicomponent Training and Muscle Quality in Older Women

NCT07359495 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: USalamancaMTUS
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 40
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to evlauate the effect os a 32-week multicomponent training (MT) program on muscle architecture and muscle quality (assessed by ultrasound) in womer over 60 years. The study will also analyze concurrent changes in muscle strength, physical performance, and body composition. The hypothesis is that the training will induce positive architectural adaptations, such as reduced echogenicity and increased thickness in the rectus femoris and rectus abdominis muscles, correlating with improved functional independence.

Conditions

Sarcopenia

Keywords

Healthy aging; Muscle Quality; Physical Function; Sarcopenia

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Echo intensity

  Echo intensity (gray scale analysis), using ImageJ software, proposed by the SARCUS consensus and Nutritional Ultrasound ®.

  Baseline and 32 weeks

• Muscle thickness (mm)

  Linear measurement of the distance between the superficial and deep aponeuroses of a target muscle belly.

  Baseline and 32 weeks

• Cross-sectional area

  The total area of the muscle (measured in cm\^2) in a plane perpendicular to its longitudinal axis

  Baseline and 32 weeks

• Subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness

  Measurement of the distance between the dermis and the superficial muscle fascia. This variable quantifies the thickness of the fat layer located directly beneath the skin.

  Baseline and 32 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (8)

• Handgrip strength (kg)

  Baseline and 32 weeks

• Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB)

  Baseline and 32 weeks

• Timed Up and Go (TUG)

  Baseline and 32 weeks

• 5-time sit-to-stand (5STS)

  Baseline and 32 weeks

• Body Mass Index (BMI)

  Baseline and 32 weeks

Other Outcomes (1)

• Sociodemographic variables

  Baseline and 32 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Intervention Group (Multicomponent training)

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this group will follow the multi-component exercise programme. The load progression will be based on individual perceived exertion. At the beginning of the intervention, participants will be taught how to interpret the modified Borg scale. At the end of each week, each person's perception of exertion will be recorded in relation to the three sessions completed. The aim will be to maintain a constant level of between 5 and 7 on the scale, which corresponds to 'hard' and 'very hard'. If the perceived exertion is greater than 7, it will be reduced, and conversely, if it is less than 5, the intensity will be increased.

Other: Multicomponent training

Control Group

NO INTERVENTION

Participants in this group will maintain their usual diet and physical activity, without changing their habits during the intervention period. They will not participate in other physical exercise programs, nor will they engage in frequent and systematic physical exercise.

Interventions

Multicomponent training OTHER

The exercise battery includes lower body work (squats, deadlifts, front and sagittal plane lunges, hip abduction/extension, and plantar flexion) and upper body work (wall flexion-extensions, shoulder raises, and elbow flexion-extensions). In addition to the strength exercises mentioned above, balance exercises such as walking in tandem, standing on one leg, side steps, and weight transfer will also be performed. Aerobic capacity will be worked on by walking at a moderate intensity, and flexibility will be improved through stretching the main muscle groups.

Intervention Group (Multicomponent training)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 60 Years+
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Being a woman over 60 years of age, residing in the community, and enrolled in the GPR

You may not qualify if:

• Having neuromuscular diseases, recent abdominal surgery, metal implants incompatible with measurements, unstable cardiovascular diseases, or previous participation in another exercise program.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Salamanca: lead

Study Sites (1)

University of Salamanca

Salamanca, Salamanca, 37006, Spain

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Sarcopenia

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Muscular Atrophy; Neuromuscular Manifestations; Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Atrophy; Pathological Conditions, Anatomical; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Signs and Symptoms

Central Study Contacts

Luis Polo Ferrero, PhD

CONTACT

689919744; pfluis@usal.es

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 15, 2025
• First Posted: January 22, 2026
• Study Start (Estimated): September 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 1, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): June 15, 2027
• Last Updated: January 22, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Locations

ES (1)