Skeletal Muscle Mass and Higher-Level Functional Capacity in Female Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

Keisuke Fujii,Kazushi Hotta,Hiroshi Yuine,Yoshihiko Fujita,Shuichi Wakayama,Takeshi Sasaki

doi:10.3390/ijerph18136692

Abstract

Purpose: In this study, our purpose was to examine the relationship between skeletal muscle mass and higher-level functional capacity in female community-dwelling older adults. Participant(s) and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we targeted 55 female community-dwelling older adults aged 65 years and above participating in long-term care prevention classes in Ibaraki Prefecture between 2018 and 2020. We excluded individuals with cognitive impairment and those judged as having sarcopenia. The variables of interest included age, height, weight, body mass index, skeletal muscle mass index (SMI), handgrip strength, step count, and family structure. We calculated the SMI by dividing the extremities’ total lean mass by the square of the height (in m), while the number of steps was calculated using the three-axis accelerometer Actigraph GT3X®. We measured skeletal muscle mass via bioelectrical impedance analysis using the InBody270 body composition analyzer and muscular strength as grip strength. Results: We observed significant relationships between skeletal muscle mass and Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology Index of Competence (TMIG-IC) (β = 0.336, p < 0.01) and handgrip strength (β = 0.230). Conclusion: In this study, a relationship between skeletal muscle mass and higher-level functional capacity was demonstrated among elderly female community residents.

Highlights

The prevention of sarcopenia is critical in care prevention and health promotion among older people in Japan
Previous reports have indicated that sarcopenia is strongly associated with low levels of activities of daily living (ADL) functionality and higher-level functional capacity [4] and that it has a significant impact on daily life
Just as instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) is considered to be a factor associated with sarcopenia in terms of its correlation with skeletal muscle mass [5], our results suggest that IADL level may be associated with loss of skeletal muscle mass even if decreased muscular strength and/or physical functionality is not observed

Summary

Introduction

In a 2014 study by Chen et al, sarcopenia was identified based on three factors: loss of skeletal muscle mass, decreased muscular strength and decreased motor function [1]. The Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AGWS) revised the diagnostic criteria for the condition in 2019 [2]. This revision was carried out to detect and prevent sarcopenia in high-risk older adults without the need for measuring skeletal muscle mass using technical equipment. Falls questionnaire (SARC-F) [3], which determines the presence of sarcopenia based on items related to activities of daily living (ADL). Previous reports have indicated that sarcopenia is strongly associated with low levels of ADL functionality and higher-level functional capacity [4] and that it has a significant impact on daily life

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion