IMPROVING MUSCLE, MIND AND MOBILITY THROUGH EXERCISE AND NUTRITION IN OLD AGE

AbstractMobility and cognitive deficits are prevalent as we age and may coexist in the same individual. Mobility decline is linked to osteoporosis and sarcopenia, which often coexist (hence the term ‘osteo-sarcopenia’) and collectively have been associated with a greater risk for incident disability, falls, fractures and frailty. Similarly, cognitive function also plays a central role. Indeed, it has been suggested that there is a bidirectional relationship between mobility and cognition: factors causing physical frailty or sarcopenia may contribute to impaired cognitive function and/or factors leading to cognitive impairment may also reduce physical function or contribute to muscle loss. However, many interventions to date have only targeted physical or cognitive function, and thus there is a need to identify strategies that can simultaneously improve both factors. Exercise is one strategy that can concurrently have a positive effect on nearly all physical and cognitive functions, but not all forms are equally effective, with the benefits being modality and intensity-dependent, and reliant upon adequate nutrition. In addition, dual-task training that combines exercise with cognitive-motor tasks may provide some added benefits, but the available data is limited. This symposium aims to provide an overview of the current evidence related to the type and dose of exercise that may be most effective for preventing and managing sarco-osteoporosis, falls, fractures, frailty and cognition decline. Evidence-based nutritional approaches focusing on treatment with vitamin D in different dosages and the combination of exercise and nutrition to enhance physical and cognitive health and function will also be reviewed.