PhD Conferral Marika Leenders, MSc
Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences
Promotor: prof.dr. L.J.C. van Loon;
co-promotor: dr. L.B. Verdijk
“Exercise and nutrition to support healthy aging”
Keywords: sarcopenia, prevention, treatment, power training, protein supplementation
The aging process involves loss of muscle mass and muscular strength, also known as sarcopenia. This dissertation shows that power training is the most effective strategy to increase muscle mass and muscle strength as well as physical function in healthy elderly people. Although leucine or protein supplementation were not found to have any (additional) effect, this may result from the fact that the elderly people included in the studies already had a high (healthy) habitual protein intake.
It was concluded that with the right attitude and proper support power training in healthy elderly people can make a vital contribution to reducing or even preventing sarcopenia. A more active elderly population will result in a reduction in health care costs and an increased level of independence. Consequently, the general feeling of wellbeing will improve dramatically. In other words, investments need to be made in a structure which stimulates elderly people to become more active, allowing a more healthy aging process.
Also read
-
PhD Defence Emmanuel Tan Chee Peng
"Beyond Hogwarts and Sorting Hats: How a House System shapes medical student support"
10 Jun -
PhD Defence Mariia Denisova
"Co-construction of reliable knowledge, good care and profit-making: The ambivalent role of private clinics in Russian healthcare"
10 Jun -
PhD Defence Charlotte Merel Marije Peters
"Beyond The Red Lights: Understanding the STI/HIV burden and sexual healthcare needs of home-based and migrant sex workers"
11 Jun