Association of insufficient physical activity with sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity in individuals aged 50 years or more

Vanessa Ribeiro Dos Santos,Monique Yndawe Castanho Araujo,Michel Rocha Cardoso,Diego Giulliano Destro Christofaro,Vitor Cabrera Batista,Luís Alberto Gobbo

doi:10.1590/1678-98652017000200003

Vanessa Ribeiro Dos Santos, Monique Yndawe Castanho Araujo + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-98652017000200003

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Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the association of insufficient physical activity in different domains with sarcopenia or sarcopenic obesity in patients aged ³50 years. Methods: The sample consisted of 770 males and females. Sarcopenia was diagnosed when the individual had: (1) low muscle mass and muscle strength; or (2) low walking speed and low muscle mass; sarcopenic obesity was diagnosed when individuals were at risk of obesity and sarcopenia. Muscle mass was given by a predictive equation, and then the muscle mass index (in kg/m²) was given by muscle mass divided by height squared. Muscle strength, in kg, was given by measuring handgrip strength with a digital dynamometer. The 4m walk test evaluated walking sped. Low muscle mass, muscle strength, and walking speed were defined as the respective values below the 25th percentile, and risk of obesity was defined as body mass index ³25kg/m2. Results: Habitual physical activity was investigated by a questionnaire. Insufficient leisure-time physical activity was associated with sarcopenia (OR=2.55; 95%CI=1.10-5.88). In addition, insufficient leisure-time physical activity (OR=4.75; 95%CI=1.64-13.72), leisure-time and commuting physical activities (OR=2.49; 95%CI=1.02-6.11, and habitual physical activity (OR=3.55; 95%CI=1.0-11.79) were associated with sarcopenic obesity. Conclusion: Insufficient physical activity is associated with sarcopenia or sarcopenic obesity in the study individuals aged ³50years.

Highlights

Low muscle mass associated with low muscle strength or poor motor performance is defined as sarcopenia [1], and when it is associated with excess body fat, it is called sarcopenic obesity [2].Sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity may reduce functional capacity, hindering the ability of older adults to perform Activities of Daily Living (ADL)
Habitual physical activity was investigated by a questionnaire
Insufficient leisure-time physical activity was associated with sarcopenia (OR=2.55; 95%CI=1.10–5.88)

Summary

Introduction

Low muscle mass associated with low muscle strength or poor motor performance is defined as sarcopenia [1], and when it is associated with excess body fat, it is called sarcopenic obesity [2].Sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity may reduce functional capacity, hindering the ability of older adults to perform Activities of Daily Living (ADL). Some studies have reported associations of insufficient physical activity with sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity in older adults [13,14,15,16], but these studies did not investigate physical activity by domain and the relationship of said domains with sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity, which would allow the adoption of preventive health measures, such as a knowingly beneficial physical activity of a specific domain These aspects should be investigated in older adults, as their population is increasing rapidly and growing age reduces the level of physical activity and increases the risk of chronic diseases. The objective of this study was to analyze whether insufficient physical activity is associated with sarcopenia or sarcopenic obesity in individuals aged 50 years or more

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Results

Conclusion