A Comparison of Upper Body Strength and Body Composition Between Elderly from Costa Rica and Kansas

Abstract

An increased lifespan and body adiposity as people age are considered risks factors for all-cause mortality. Handgrip strength is a considered a powerful predictor of cause-specific and total mortality in older disabled women and to cardiometabolic risk in aging populations. Ethnic-specific heterogeneity of risk factors calls for comparative studies to better understand competent prevention and management, which might be one of the essential steps toward elimination of ethnic disparities for several diseases. PURPOSE: To compare the upper body strength and body composition in elderly from Costa Rica (CR) and Kansas (KS). METHODS: Older adults from CR (men = 26, women = 52, mean age = 68.91 ± 4.79 yr.) and KS (men = 35, women = 65, mean age = 72.84 ± 5.59 yr.), underwent handgrip strength and body composition measurements (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry). RESULTS: Men (31.24 ± 7.02 %) had lower %BF than women (41.28 ± 5.87 %; p ≤ 0.001). Women (15.0 ± 1.7 kg/m2) had lower lean tissue mass index than men (18.0 ± 1.7 kg/m2; p ≤ 0.001). Women (6.2 ± 0.8 kg/m2) had lower appendicular lean soft tissue index than men (8.1 ± 1.0 kg/m2; p ≤ 0.001). KS participants (1.16 ± 0.11 g/cm2) had higher total bone mineral density than CR participants (1.08 ± 0.11 g/cm2; p ≤ 0.001), and men (1.21 ± 0.11 g/cm2) had higher total bone mineral density than women (1.08 ± 0.09 g/cm2; p ≤ 0.001). Significant correlations (p ≤ 0.003 for all) were obtained between handgrip strength and body height (r = 0.72), body weight (r = 0.56), arms bone mineral density (r = 0.67), total bone mineral density (r = 0.56), lean arms mass (r = 0.78), total lean mass (r = 0.81), body fat% (r = -0.48), body fat mass index (r = -0.22), lean tissue mass index (r = 0.59), and appendicular lean soft tissue index (r = 0.69). CONCLUSIONS: Differences in body composition and handgrip strength were found in older adults from CR and KS. Ethnic-specific heterogeneity on biologic factors and physical-related performance allows for culturally diverse prevention programs for the elderly.