- Sarcopenia is a condition characterized by the loss of fat-free muscle mass, which commonly affects older adults and can lead to frailty, weakness, balance issues, and increased risk of falls (1)
- Recent research has shown that active mattresses can be a valuable aid in preventing sarcopenia and its associated complications (2)
- A study conducted by Baker et al. (2019) (2) found that 8 weeks of the Vestims® active mattress use can improve vascular endothelial function and increase fat-free muscle mass by 520 grams, suggesting that active mattresses could be a useful intervention to help older adults maintain muscle mass and prevent the development of frailty, weakness, and balance issues.
- Other research has also highlighted the importance of maintaining muscle mass in older adults through interventions such as progressive resistance training and protein supplementation (1,3)
- Active mattresses and resistance training can be useful in preventing sarcopenia and reducing the risk of falls in older adults.
References:
1. Rolland, Y., Czerwinski, S., Abellan van Kan, G., Morley, J. E., Cesari, M., Onder, G., .. & Vellas, B. (2008). Sarcopenia: its assessment, etiology, pathogenesis, consequences and future perspectives. Journal of nutrition health and aging, 12(5), 287-302.
2. Baker G, Bloxham S, Laden J, Gush R. Vascular endothelial function is improved after active mattress use. J Wound Care. 2019 Oct 2;28(10):676-682. doi: 10.12968/jowc.2019.28.10.676. PMID: 31600104.
3. Fielding, R. A., Vellas, B., Evans, W. J., Bhasin, S., Morley, J. E., Newman, A. B., ... & Abellan van Kan, G. (2011). Sarcopenia: an undiagnosed condition in older adults. Current consensus definition: prevalence, etiology, and consequences. International working group on sarcopenia. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 12(4), 249-256