RecruitingACTRN12625000091404

Understanding the impacts of nutritional education to help in the treatment of age-related muscle loss

Understanding the translational impact of nutrition education to treat sarcopenia in participants aged 60 -80 years old

Sponsor

Swinburne University

Enrollment

200 participants

Start Date

Oct 24, 2025

Study Type

Interventional

Conditions

Sarcopenia (loss of skeletal muscle mass and function with age)

Summary

The purpose of this study is to gain insight into reducing the negative health effects associated with sarcopenia. As sarcopenia is a condition that affects many older adults, and we wish to explore the effects on people’s perceptions and behaviors of providing information about exercise and protein-based strategies for maintaining muscle health in this population. Skeletal muscle health is a critical component of overall health and wellbeing, particularly for older adults. Sarcopenia is a disease defined by the age-associated decline in skeletal muscle mass and function and can predisposes older adults to frailty, loss of independence, and premature death. Nutritional support is a key strategy in the prevention of sarcopenia, with nutritional interventions including a protein-rich diet and/or protein supplementation. However, implementation of straightforward nutrition educational practices based on current scientific information that are aimed at improving muscle for older adults is a severely overlooked aspect in current treatment and management strategies of sarcopenia. Therefore, this research project aims to improve knowledge, practice, and implementation of nutrition and exercise as interventional strategies in the treatment of sarcopenia in older adults.

Eligibility

Sex: Both males and femalesMin Age: 60 YearssMax Age: 80 Yearss

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

Sarcopenia — the gradual loss of muscle mass and strength that comes with ageing — affects a large proportion of older adults and is associated with frailty, falls, reduced independence, and poorer overall health outcomes. While exercise and protein-rich nutrition are known to be effective strategies for maintaining muscle health, many older adults are simply not aware of what they can do, or are not motivated to make changes. This study is exploring the effect of providing structured nutritional education — information about protein intake and dietary strategies to support muscle health — on the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours of community-dwelling older adults aged 60 to 80. Participants will receive information about exercise and protein-based approaches to maintaining muscle health, and researchers will assess whether this leads to changes in diet and physical activity practices. You may be eligible if you are aged 60 to 80 years, live independently in the community (not in an aged care facility), and are able to stand unaided. People with acute or terminal illness, unstable heart or lung conditions, or significant musculoskeletal or neurological limitations preventing exercise would not be eligible. Participants should be able to commit to the full study requirements.

This summary was AI-generated to explain the trial in plain language. It is not medical advice. Always discuss eligibility with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.

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Interventions

All participants will be invited to the Swinburne campus on three separate occasions to undertake the different aspects of the research project: • Visit 1 (~1 hour in duration): - Sign study conse

All participants will be invited to the Swinburne campus on three separate occasions to undertake the different aspects of the research project: • Visit 1 (~1 hour in duration): - Sign study consent forms and provide research team Medical Clearance form from participant's GP - Sign Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) Adult Pre-Exercise Screening System form for exercise clearance - Complete Protein Knowledge and Sarcopenia Awareness questionnaires - Complete questionnaires of self-reported physical activity, activities of daily living, and health-related quality of life - Undertake sarcopenia diagnostic testing including maximum handgrip strength, body composition measurement (muscle mass and body fat), and a Short Physical Performance Battery consisting of gait speed, chair stand test, and balance. • Visit 2 (1 week after visit 1; ~1 hour in duration): - Complete current habitual diet questionnaire - Attend the professional education session on protein nutrition and exercise for promoting skeletal muscle health - Provide participants the ‘Muscle Matters: Preventing Sarcopenia with Lifestyle Changes’ educational resource manual that has been designed by the research team specifically for this study. • Visit 3 (3 months after visit 1; ~1 hour in duration): - Complete Protein Knowledge and Sarcopenia Awareness questionnaires - Complete questionnaires of self-reported physical activity, activities of daily living, and health-related quality of life - Complete current habitual diet questionnaire - Undertake sarcopenia Diagnostic testing including maximum handgrip strength, body composition measurement (muscle mass and body fat), and a Short Physical Performance Battery consisting of gait speed, chair stand test, and balance. All study visits will be supervised and co-conducted by Dr. Donny Camera (over 15 years research in skeletal muscle health involving exercise and nutrition), Dr. Stephen Keenan (Accredited Practicing Dietitian with over 5 years nutrition research) and Jennifer (Accredited Practicing Dietitian with over 10 years nutrition research). Attendance at each of the three visits will be recorded by the research team. Adherence to the information provided to the participants within the resource booklet between Visits 2 and 3 will not be directly measured by the research team. This is on purpose to allow participants to naturally include aspects of the information in the resource booklet into their habitual lifestyle. Measures obtained in Visit 3 will provide the research team some indication as to whether, and to what extent, participants have adhered to information within the resource booklet.

Locations(1)

VIC, Australia

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ACTRN12625000091404