scholarly journals Pet Ownership and Longitudinal Change in Physical Function: Evidence From the BLSA

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 216-217
Author(s):  
Erika Friedmann ◽  
Nancy Gee ◽  
Eleanor Simonsick ◽  
Erik Barr ◽  
Barbara Resnick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gait Speed ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Leisure Time Physical Activity ◽  
Psychological Adaptation ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Longitudinal Change ◽  
Pet Ownership ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Animal Interaction ◽  
Healthy Community

Abstract Successful aging depends on avoiding disease and disability, maintaining high physical and cognitive function, and psychological adaptation. Research examining the relationship of pet ownership (PO) or human-animal interaction (HAI) to human health supports contributions to these successful ag-ing-related outcomes at some point in the life-cycle, mostly in populations with diseases or disabili-ties. We examine the contributions of PO to maintaining physical capacity among generally healthy community-dwelling older participants in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA). Partici-pants’ [N=637, mean age=68.3 years (SD=9.6), pet owners N=149] completed a standardized physi-cal function test battery (among other measures) every 1-4 years and a ten-year PO history. Linear mixed, or generalized linear mixed, models with time varying PO were used to examine change in successful aging-related outcomes over up to 13 years [mean=7.5, (SD=3.6)] according to PO. Physi-cal function declined across all domains examined, but was observed to be less severe with PO in overall physical performance (p<0.001), rapid gait speed (p=0.041), 400-meter walk time (p<0.001), and reported physical wellbeing (p=0.032). No differences were observed for grip strength (p=0.56), usual gait speed (p=0.07), and leisure time physical activity (p=0.26) after con-trolling for age. This study provides the first longitudinal evidence that PO may promote successful aging among community-dwelling healthy older adults by moderating age-related declines in physical functional status in late-life.

scholarly journals Relationship between Daily and In-laboratory Gait Speed among Healthy Community-dwelling Older Adults

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Naoto Takayanagi ◽  
Motoki Sudo ◽  
Yukari Yamashiro ◽  
Sangyoon Lee ◽  
Yoshiyuki Kobayashi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Gait Speed ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Healthy Community ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

scholarly journals Pet Ownership Patterns and Successful Aging Outcomes in Community Dwelling Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erika Friedmann ◽  
Nancy R. Gee ◽  
Eleanor M. Simonsick ◽  
Stephanie Studenski ◽  
Barbara Resnick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Pet Ownership ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults ◽  
Ownership Patterns

scholarly journals Circulating MicroRNA-486 and MicroRNA-146a Serve as Potential Biomarkers of Sarcopenia in the Elderly

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huang-Chun Liu ◽  
Der‐Sheng Han ◽  
Chih-Chin Hsu ◽  
Jong-Shyan Wang
Keyword(s):  
Gait Speed ◽  
Handgrip Strength ◽  
Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Area Under The Curve ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Circulating Microrna ◽  
Characteristic Analysis ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Muscular Function

Abstract Background: Age-related sarcopenia meaningfully increases the risks of functional limitations and mortality in the elderly. Although circulating microRNAs (c-miRNAs) are associated with aging-related cellular senescence and inflammation, the relationships between c-miRNAs and sarcopenia in the elderly remain unclear. This study investigates whether circulating myo-miRNAs and inflammation-related miRNAs are associated with sarcopenia in the elderly. Methods: This investigation recruited 77 eligible subjects (41 males and 36 females) from 597 community-dwelling older adults, and then divided into normal (n=24), dynapenic (loss of muscular function without mass, n=35), and sarcopenic groups (loss of muscular function with mass, n=18). Moreover, myo- (c-miRNA-133a and c-miRNA-486) and inflammation- (c-miRNA-21 and c-miRNA-146a) related miRNAs, as well as, inflammatory-related cytokine and peroxide levels in plasma were determined using quantitative polymerase chain reaction and ELISA, respectively. Results: Sarcopenic group exhibited lesser skeletal muscle mass index (SMI), handgrip strength, and gait speed, as well as, lower c-miR-486 and c-miR-146a levels, compared to those of normal and dynapenic groups. Moreover, c-miR-486 level was positively related to SMI (r=0.334, P=0.003), whereas c-miR-146a level was positively associated with SMI (r=0.240, P=0.035) and handgrip strength (r=0.253, P=0.027). In the receiver operating characteristic analysis for predicting sarcopenia, the area under the curve in c-miR-486 was 0.708 (95% confidence interval: 0.561-0.855, P=0.008) and c-miR-146a was 0.676 (95% CI: 0.551-0.801, P=0.024). However, no significant relationships were observed between SMI/handgrip strength/gait speed and plasma myeloperoxidase/interleukin-1𝛽/interleukin-6 levels. Conclusions: Myo-miRNA (c-miR-486) and inflammation-related miRNA (c-miR-146a) are superior to inflammatory peroxide/cytokines in plasma for serving as critical biomarkers of age-related sarcopenia.

scholarly journals Development of a Comprehensive Chinese Successful Aging Scale: Incorporating the Viewpoints of Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 215-216
Author(s):  
Edwin K H Chung ◽  
Dannii Yeung
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Initial Item ◽  
Civic Awareness ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract Inspiring by Martinson and Berridge’s (2015) systematic review, the current definition of successful aging (SA) fails to acknowledge the laypeople’s conceptualization of SA. Adopting a mixed-method approach, two studies were conducted with the aim of soliciting older adults’ perceptions of SA and to develop a multidimensional instrument for assessing SA. Study 1 was a qualitative study and 27 community-dwelling older adults (Mage=68.07 years, SD=7.10, range=60–83; 56.3% females) were interviewed. Interview transcripts were analyzed, and seven themes were emerged. An initial item pool for the Successful Aging Scale (SAS) was then established based on these themes as well as those in the SA literature, such as acceptance and independence. Study 2 was a survey study which was conducted among 414 community-dwelling older adults (Mage=64.50 years, SD=4.01, range=60–82; 55.3% females) to identify optimal items for constitution of the SAS. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a 12-factor solution, accounting for 62% of the variance. The 12 factors are adequate health, perceived constraints, flexible attitudes toward life, acceptance of age-related change, life embracement, active engagement, harmonious family, supportive friendship, civic awareness, social contribution, living independently, and adaptive coping strategies. The 12 factors exhibit similar strength of associations with most of the well-being measures, but certain factors show stronger correlation with depressive symptoms and social relationship, suggesting the uniqueness of each factor. Overall, the SAS demonstrates promising psychometric properties. These findings disclose that the older adults’ perceptions of SA could cover broader dimensions than those in Rowe and Kahn’s model (1997).

scholarly journals Elevated Plasma Growth and Differentiation Factor 15 Is Associated With Slower Gait Speed and Lower Physical Performance in Healthy Community-Dwelling Adults

2019 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 175-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard D Semba ◽  
Marta Gonzalez-Freire ◽  
Toshiko Tanaka ◽  
Angelique Biancotto ◽  
Pingbo Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Grip Strength ◽  
Physical Performance ◽  
Lean Mass ◽  
Gait Speed ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Elevated Plasma ◽  
Performance Score ◽  
Healthy Community ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Walking Time

Abstract Background Growth and differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) has been associated with obesity, muscle wasting, and cachexia. The receptor for GDF-15 was recently identified in the brainstem and regulates food intake and metabolism. The relationship of plasma GDF-15 with the age-associated decline of muscle mass and strength, gait speed, and physical performance in adults has not been well characterized. Methods Plasma GDF-15, grip strength, 6-m gait speed, 400-m walking test time, lower extremity physical performance score, appendicular lean mass, and fat mass were measured in 194 healthy adult participants, aged 22–93 years, of the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. Results Plasma GDF-15 concentrations increased with age (p < .001) and were higher in whites compared with blacks and Asians (p = .04). Adults with higher plasma GDF-15 had slower 6-m gait speed, longer 400-m walking time, and lower physical performance score in multivariable analyses adjusting for age and race. Plasma GDF-15 was not associated with grip strength, appendicular lean mass, or fat mass. Conclusions Elevated plasma GDF-15 is associated with slower gait speed, higher 400-m walking time, and lower physical performance in very healthy community-dwelling adults. The relationship between plasma GDF-15 and sarcopenia-related outcomes may be stronger in the population not selected to be healthy, and this hypothesis should be tested in a representative population.

Age-Related Changes in the Neurologic Examination of Healthy Sexagenarians, Octogenarians, and Centenarians

1994 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.E. Nichols ◽  
K.J. Meador ◽  
D.W. Loring ◽  
L.W. Poon ◽  
G.M. Clayton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Population Based ◽  
Cognitive Status ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Neurologic Examination ◽  
Geriatric Population ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Quantitative Examination ◽  
Healthy Community ◽  
Future Population ◽  
Age Related Changes

Although numerous studies have focused on age-related changes in the nervous system, few have systematically assessed global neurologic examination changes, and even fewer have included the most elderly population, ie, the centenarians. To perform such a study, we developed a quantitative assessment that includes the major components of a standard bedside neurologic evaluation, with special emphasis on cognitive function. First, we demonstrated that the quantitated examination could correctly classify healthy controls and patients with stroke or dementia based on discriminant analysis. This examination was then applied to healthy community-dwelling elderly ranging from 60 to 108 years of age. Significant age-related neurobehavioral changes were apparent across even these most “successfully” aged groups. Analysis of the full pattern of cognitive and neurologic findings provided the most accurate assessment. Pathologic reflexes, reportedly associated with normal aging, occurred infrequently in this healthy geriatric population, suggesting that age-related changes in the neurologic examination may be more accurately interpreted when assessed in conjunction with cognitive status. This quantitative examination may be useful in future population-based studies of neurologic function in the aged.

scholarly journals Gait speed and overactive bladder in the healthy community‐dwelling super elderly: The Sukagawa Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (8) ◽  
pp. 2324-2332 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenji Omae ◽  
Yosuke Yamamoto ◽  
Noriaki Kurita ◽  
Taro Takeshima ◽  
Toru Naganuma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Overactive Bladder ◽  
Gait Speed ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Healthy Community

scholarly journals Gonadotropins at Advanced Age - Perhaps They Are Not So Bad? Correlations Between Gonadotropins and Sarcopenia Indicators in Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Guligowska ◽  
Zuzanna Chrzastek ◽  
Marek Pawlikowski ◽  
Malgorzata Pigłowska ◽  
Hanna Pisarek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gait Speed ◽  
Handgrip Strength ◽  
Functional Decline ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Blood Levels ◽  
Timed Up And Go ◽  
Female Community ◽  
Age Related ◽  
European Working

Many hormones fluctuate during the aging process. It has been suggested that gonadotropins, which increase with age, contribute to the occurrence of many diseases and syndromes in older life, such as cardiovascular diseases, obesity, frailty syndrome and osteoporosis. This study aims to assess the relationship between circulating gonadotropins and other hormones potentially contributing to age-related functional decline and sarcopenia indicators in 39 male and 61 female community-dwelling seniors, mean age 80 years. According to the definition developed by the second European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP2), the following indicators of the sarcopenia were assessed: bioimpedance-measured body composition, gait speed, handgrip strength, timed up and go test (TUG), chair stand test, Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). Blood levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) and cortisol were also measured. In the men, FSH and partially LH correlated positively with muscle mass percentage, gait speed, handgrip strength and SPPB, and negatively with percent body fat. Additionally, testosterone and DHEAS correlated negatively with the percentage of fat mass in men. Whereas in the women, FSH and LH were mainly negatively associated with body mass and adipose tissue measures. Cortisol did not show any relationship with the examined indicators. The study shows that the indicators of sarcopenia are strongly associated with levels of gonadotropins, sex hormones and DHEAS, especially in older men. The obtained results, after being confirmed in a larger group, may modify prevention and treatment strategies of sarcopenia.

scholarly journals Dynamic Interactions Between LH and Testosterone in Healthy Community-Dwelling Men: Impact of Age and Body Composition

2019 ◽  
Vol 105 (3) ◽  
pp. e628-e641
Author(s):  
Ferdinand Roelfsema ◽  
Peter Y Liu ◽  
Paul Y Takahashi ◽  
Rebecca J Yang ◽  
Johannes D Veldhuis
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Leydig Cell ◽  
Approximate Entropy ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Dynamic Interactions ◽  
Visceral Mass ◽  
Age Related ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Healthy Community

Abstract Background Aging is associated with diminished testosterone (Te) secretion, which may be attributed to Leydig cell dysfunction, decreased pituitary stimulation, and altered Te feedback. Objective To study all regulatory nodes—gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and Leydig cell—in the same cohort of healthy men. Study Design This was a placebo-controlled, blinded, prospectively randomized cross-over study in 40 men, age range 19 to 73 years, and body mass index (BMI) range 20 to 34.3 kg/m2. A submaximal dose of the GnRH antagonist ganirelix was used to assess outflow of GnRH, by calculating the difference between LH output during the control arm and ganirelix arm. Ketoconazole (a steroidogenic inhibitor) was used to estimate feedback, by the difference in LH output during the ketoconazole and control arm. High-dose ganirelix and repeated LH infusions were used to measure testicular responsivity. Blood sampling was performed at 10-minute intervals. Results There were age-related, but not body composition–related decreases in estimated GnRH secretion, the feedback strength of Te on LH, and Leydig cell responsivity to LH, accompanied by changes in approximate entropy. Bioavailable Te levels were negatively related to both age and computed tomography (CT)–estimated abdominal visceral mass (AVF), without interaction between these variables. The LH response to a submaximal dose of GnRH was independent of age and AVF. Conclusion Advancing age is associated with (1) attenuated bioavailable Te secretion caused by diminished GnRH outflow and not by decreased GnRH responsivity of the gonadotrope, (2) diminished testicular responsivity to infused LH pulses, and (3) partial compensation by diminished Te feedback on central gonadotropic regulation.

scholarly journals Lifestyle Activities and Memory: Variety May Be the Spice of Life. The Women's Health and Aging Study II

2011 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 286-294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle C. Carlson ◽  
Jeanine M. Parisi ◽  
Jin Xia ◽  
Qian-Li Xue ◽  
George W. Rebok ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Verbal Memory ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Cognitive Aging ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Cognitive Outcomes ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Aging Study ◽  
Cognitive Challenge ◽  
Lifestyle Activities ◽  
Healthy Community

AbstractThis study examined whether participation in a variety of lifestyle activities was comparable to frequent participation in cognitively challenging activities in mitigating impairments in cognitive abilities susceptible to aging in healthy, community-dwelling older women. Frequencies of participation in various lifestyle activities on the Lifestyle Activities Questionnaire (LAQ) were divided according to high (e.g., reading), moderate (e.g., discussing politics), and low (e.g., watching television) cognitive demand. We also considered the utility of participation in a variety of lifestyle activities regardless of cognitive challenge. Immediate and delayed verbal recall, psychomotor speed, and executive function were each measured at baseline and at five successive exams, spanning a 9.5-year interval. Greater variety of participation in activities, regardless of cognitive challenge, was associated with an 8 to 11% reduction in the risk of impairment in verbal memory and global cognitive outcomes. Participation in a variety of lifestyle activities was more predictive than frequency or level of cognitive challenge for significant reductions in risk of incident impairment on measures sensitive to cognitive aging and risk for dementia. Our findings offer new perspectives in promoting a diverse repertoire of activities to mitigate age-related cognitive declines. (JINS, 2012, 18, 286–294)

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