# GROWTH HORMONE AND/OR EXERCISE FOR THE FRAIL ELDERLY

> **NIH NIH R01** · RHODE ISLAND HOSPITAL · 1992 · $259,767

## Abstract

Progressive frailty in the elderly is a major cause of falls, associated
fractures, social isolation, and ultimately institutionalization or death.
Muscle weakness is one major cause of overall frailty.  Contributing to
this may be inactivity and decreased growth hormone secretion, known to
occur with progressive aging.  This study will test the hypothesis that GH
administration and exercise training may synergize to improve muscle
performance in the elderly; it will also test the sub-hypothesis that
continued GH administration after discontinuation of a formal exercise
program will prolong the benefits of that exercise training.  The effects
of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH), an isotonic exercise program,
or the two combined, will be determined in an elderly population
preselected for below average physical performance.  Male and female
subjects (240) will be recruited in the neighborhoods of 3 senior citizen
centers in Rhode Island and randomized to receive either rhGH, rhGH plus
exercise training, placebo plus exercise or placebo alone.  GH (0.015 mg/kg
daily, s.c.) will be administered for one year; exercise training will be
supervised in the 3 senior centers during 65 sessions over 6 months,
followed by 6 months continued GH or placebo administration.  Subjects will
be evaluated with a standardized physical performance test; for muscle
strength using isokinetic dynamometry; regional and whole body lean and
adipose soft tissue mass and bone mineral content using dual X-ray
densitometry; resting caloric expenditure; and biochemical and hormonal
indices including IGF-I and its binding proteins.  Ancillary studies will
include muscle biopsies in a subset of subjects evaluating morphology and
IGF-I and its receptor expression.  Using a novel mechanically stimulated
myocyte culture system, bioassay of muscle growth promoting effects of
subjects' sera and muscle extract will be compared under static and
stimulated conditions.  Finally, using validated survey instruments of
physical activity and health outcomes and utilization, this study may show
that this combined intervention program has real efficacy in reducing the
human and socioeconomic toll of progressive frailty in the elderly.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3122906
- **Project number:** 1R01AG010942-01
- **Recipient organization:** RHODE ISLAND HOSPITAL
- **SAM.gov UEI:** N876TLXYGCG4
- **Principal Investigator:** DAVID B MACLEAN
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1992
- **Award amount:** $259,767
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 1992-09-25 → 1996-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3122906

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3122906, GROWTH HORMONE AND/OR EXERCISE FOR THE FRAIL ELDERLY (1R01AG010942-01). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3122906. Licensed CC0.

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