Body Composition and Physical Function in Older Adults with Various Comorbidities

Abstract Background Aging is associated with reduced muscle mass and strength leading to impaired physical function. Resistance training programs incorporated into older adults’ real-life settings may have the potential to counteract these changes. We evaluated the effectiveness of 8 months resistance training using easily available, low cost equipment compared to physical activity counselling on physical function, muscle strength, and body composition in community-dwelling older adults receiving home care. Methods This open label, two-armed, parallel group, cluster randomized trial recruited older adults above 70 years (median age 86.0 (Interquartile range 80–90) years) receiving home care. Participants were randomized at cluster level to the resistance training group (RTG) or the control group (CG). The RTG trained twice a week while the CG were informed about the national recommendations for physical activity and received a motivational talk every 6th week. Outcomes were assessed at participant level at baseline, after four, and 8 months and included tests of physical function (chair rise, 8 ft-up-and-go, preferred- and maximal gait speed, and stair climb), maximal strength, rate of force development, and body composition. Results Twelve clusters were allocated to RTG (7 clusters, 60 participants) or CG (5 clusters, 44 participants). The number of participants analyzed was 56–64 (6–7 clusters) in RTG and 20–42 (5 clusters) in CG. After 8 months, multilevel linear mixed models showed that RTG improved in all tests of physical function and maximal leg strength (9–24%, p = 0.01–0.03) compared to CG. No effects were seen for rate of force development or body composition. Conclusion This study show that resistance training using easily available, low cost equipment is more effective than physical activity counselling for improving physical function and maximal strength in community-dwelling older adults receiving home care. Trial registration ISRCTN1067873

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PHYSICAL FUNCTION AND BODY COMPOSITION AS NUTRITIONAL OUTCOMES: ASSESSMENT APPROACHES

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.1443 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S392-S392

Author(s):

Connie W Bales ◽

Kathryn N Porter Starr ◽

Marshall Miller

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Body Composition ◽

Physical Function ◽

Physical Performance ◽

Performance Test ◽

Handgrip Strength ◽

Muscle Quality ◽

Physical Performance Test ◽

Nutritional Interventions ◽

Obesity Interventions

Abstract Nutritional status is a strong determinant of both body composition and physical function (PF), parameters that are closely interrelated but rarely evaluated in the clinical setting due to cost, access, and lack of agreement on best approaches in older adults. Recent evidence that changes in muscle mass do not closely correspond to changes in muscle function will be reviewed in the context of our studies of higher protein obesity interventions. PF assessments, including indices for older adults (Short Physical Performance Battery and Physical Performance Test), as well as specific tests like gait speed and handgrip strength, will be explained as nutrition outcomes and in relation to body composition from air displacement (BodPod) and dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). These results, along with new studies of muscle quality, will bring a better understanding of the complexity of responses to nutritional interventions designed to optimize body mass and composition in older adults.

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Body Composition and Physical Function in Older Adults

Obesity ◽

10.1038/oby.2008.506 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 17 (2) ◽

pp. 211-212 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Carlos Lorenzo

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Body Composition ◽

Physical Function

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ASSOCIATION OF BODY COMPOSITION AND PHYSICAL FUNCTION WITH VENTILATORY LIMITED OBESE OLDER ADULTS

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igx004.1942 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 1 (suppl_1) ◽

pp. 550-551

Author(s):

M.D. Opina ◽

T. Brinkley ◽

M. Gordon ◽

B.J. Nicklas

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Body Composition ◽

Physical Function

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Characterizing the physical function decline and disabilities present among older adults with fecal incontinence: a secondary analysis of the health, aging, and body composition study

International Urogynecology Journal ◽

10.1007/s00192-021-04933-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Candace Parker-Autry ◽

Iris Leng ◽

Catherine A. Matthews ◽

Nyree Thorne ◽

Stephen Kritchevsky

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Body Composition ◽

Fecal Incontinence ◽

Physical Function ◽

Secondary Analysis ◽

Body Composition Study ◽

Health Aging ◽

Composition Study

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Association of Breathing Reserve at Peak Exercise With Body Composition and Physical Function in Older Adults With Obesity

The Journals of Gerontology Series A ◽

10.1093/gerona/gly276 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 74 (12) ◽

pp. 1973-1979

Author(s):

Maria Theresa D Opina ◽

Tina E Brinkley ◽

Michelle Gordon ◽

Mary F Lyles ◽

Barbara J Nicklas

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Body Composition ◽

Physical Function ◽

Body Mass ◽

Lean Mass ◽

Analysis Of Covariance ◽

Exercise Intolerance ◽

Peak Exercise ◽

Total Body Mass ◽

Ventilatory Limitation

Abstract Background Adiposity-related ventilatory constraints in older adults can potentially contribute to greater risk of exercise intolerance and mobility disability. This study investigated whether ventilatory limitation, measured by breathing reserve (BR) at peak exercise, is associated with body composition and physical function in older adults with obesity. Methods This study was a cross-sectional analysis of data from a community-based cohort (N = 177) of older men and women (65–79 years) with obesity (body mass index = 30–45 kg/m2). All participants underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing on a treadmill, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry for body composition, and physical function assessments. We examined relationships between BR and body composition and physical function using multiple linear regression and compared a subset with (BR ≤ 30%; BR-low; n = 56) and without (BR ≥ 45%; BR-high, n = 48) ventilatory limitation using unpaired Student’s t test and analysis of covariance. Results BR was inversely related to total body mass, lean mass, fat mass, % body fat, and waist circumference (p < 0.05 for all). BR was positively related to 400 m walk time (p = .006) and inversely related to usual gait speed (p = .05) and VO2peak (p < .0001), indicative of worse physical function. BR-low had greater adiposity, but also greater lean mass, higher VO2peak, and faster 400 m walk time, compared to BR-high (p < .05, for all). Conclusions Older adults with obesity who also have ventilatory limitation have overall higher measures of adiposity, but do not have lower peak exercise capacity or physical function. Thus, ventilatory limitation does not appear to be a contributing factor to obesity-related decrements in exercise tolerance or mobility.

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