Concurrent training associated with moderate walnut consumption improved isokinetic strength, subjective sleep quality, cognitive performance and postural balance in elderly active men: a randomized controlled trial.

Anis Kamoun, Abdelmonem Yahia, Mohamed Amine Farjallah, Rami Maaloul, Houssem Marzougui, Mohamed Bouaziz, Nizar Souissi, Mohamed Habib Elleuch, Omar Hammouda

Journal: Aging clinical and experimental research 2024;36(1):50

PMID: 38421528

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Plain Language Summary

Ageing is a delicate period characterised by a deterioration of physical and mental capacities. The ability of ageing men to perform daily life activities is strongly related to the maintenance of the main elements of health-related physical fitness. The aim of this study was to examine whether walnut consumption amplifies or not the beneficial effect of concurrent training (CT - strength and endurance exercises) on strength parameters, sleep quality, cognitive performances and postural balance in physically active elderly men. This study was a randomised controlled trial. Participants were divided into two groups: CT+ad libitum diet with walnut (CTW, n=15); CT+ad libitum diet (CT, n=13). Results showed that concurrent training improved isokinetic strength and support leg standing parameters in trained ageing men following or not a walnut enriched diet. Moreover, subjective sleep quality was more improved in the CTW group than the CT one. Authors concluded that concurrent training was proved to be a suitable nonpharmacological intervention which improved physical fitness and activities of daily living (i.e. reduced fall risks) in elderly.

Abstract

AIMS

To investigate the effects of concurrent training (resistance and endurance) associated with moderate walnut consumption on isokinetic strength, subjective sleep quality, cognitive performance and postural balance in physically active elderly men.

METHODS

Twenty healthy elderly men were divided into two matched groups, in a randomized controlled experiment. They have participated in three training sessions per week: concurrent (strength and endurance) training + ad libitum diet with walnuts (15 g/day for 6 weeks, CTW: n = 10) and concurrent training + ad libitum diet (CT: n = 10). Isokinetic strength, Spiegel questionnaire, Montreal cognitive assessment and postural balance parameters were assessed 48 h pre- and post-intervention.

RESULTS

Absolute peak torque of knee extensors and knee flexors significantly increased compared to pre-training in CTW (15.2% ± 6.7; 13.2% ± 2.3, p < 0.05, respectively) and CT (10.6% ± 6.8; 7.4% ± 2.9, p < 0.05, respectively). Subjective sleep quality increased compared to pre-training for CTW and CT (24% ± 14.4; 10.5% ± 9.4, p < 0.05, respectively) with a significantly greater increase in CTW (p < 0.05). Cognitive performance measured by Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) increased only in CTW compared to baseline (7.7% ± 2.5, p < 0.05). Postural balance parameters with dual task decreased only in CTW compared to baseline.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study clearly revealed that concurrent training alone or associated with daily walnut (15 g) consumption for 6 weeks significantly increased knee isokinetic strength, support leg standing parameters and sleep quality. Meanwhile, cognitive performance evaluated by MoCA test and postural balance with dual task were improved for CTW group only.

Address: High Institute of Sport and Physical Education, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia.; Research Laboratory of Evaluation and Management of Musculoskeletal System Pathologies, University of Sfax, LR20ES09, Sfax, Tunisia.; Research Laboratory of Evaluation and Management of Musculoskeletal System Pathologies, University of Sfax, LR20ES09, Sfax, Tunisia.; Research Laboratory, Molecular Bases of Human Pathology, LR19ES13, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia.; Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, Hypoxie et Poumon, H&P, INSERM, UMR 1272, Bobigny, F-93000, France.; Département STAPS, Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, Bobigny, France.; Research Laboratory, Molecular Bases of Human Pathology, LR19ES13, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia.; Laboratoire d'Electrochimie Et Environnement, ENIS, Université de Sfax, LR14ES08, Sfax, Tunisia.; Research Unit: Physical Activity, Sport, and Health, UR18JS01, National Observatory of Sport, Tunis, Tunisia.; Research Laboratory, Molecular Bases of Human Pathology, LR19ES13, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia. [email protected].; Interdisciplinary Laboratory in Neurosciences, Physiology and Psychology: Physical Activity, Health and Learning (LINP2), UFR STAPS, UPL, 200 Avenue de la République, 92000, Nanterre, France. [email protected].

DOI: 10.1007/s40520-023-02646-x