Differences in body composition and physical function related to pure sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity: A study of community-dwelling older adults in Japan

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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A poor appetite or ability to eat and its association with physical function amongst community-dwelling older adults: age, gene/environment susceptibility-Reykjavik study

European Journal of Ageing ◽

10.1007/s10433-020-00588-1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Milan Chang ◽

Olof G. Geirsdottir ◽

Lenore J. Launer ◽

Vilmundur Gudnasson ◽

Marjolein Visser ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Body Mass Index ◽

Body Composition ◽

Physical Function ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Fat Free Mass ◽

Poor Appetite ◽

Physical Conditions ◽

Gene Environment ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract A poor appetite or ability to eat and its association with physical function have not been explored considerably amongst community-dwelling older adults. The current study examined whether having an illness or physical condition affecting one’s appetite or ability to eat is associated with body composition, muscle strength, or physical function amongst community-dwelling older adults. This is a secondary analysis of cross-sectional data from the age, gene/environment susceptibility-Reykjavik study (n = 5764). Illnesses or physical conditions affecting one’s appetite or ability to eat, activities of daily living, current level of physical activity, and smoking habits were assessed with a questionnaire. Fat mass, fat-free mass, body mass index, knee extension strength, and grip strength were measured, and the 6-m walk test and timed up-and-go test were administered. Individuals who reported illnesses or physical conditions affecting their appetite or ability to eat were considered to have a poor appetite. The associations of appetite or the ability to eat with body composition and physical function were analysed with stepwise linear regression models. A total of 804 (14%) individuals reported having conditions affecting their appetite or ability to eat and had a significantly lower fat-free mass and body mass index, less grip strength, and poorer physical function than did those without any conditions affecting their appetite or ability to eat. Although the factors reported to affect one’s appetite or ability to eat are seldom considered severe, their strong associations with physical function suggest that any condition affecting one’s appetite or ability to eat requires attention.

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Lower Aerobic Reserve is Associated with Poorer Physical Function in Community Dwelling Older Adults

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise ◽

10.1249/01.mss.0000561152.98240.33 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 51 (Supplement) ◽

pp. 215

Author(s):

Nicolas D. Knuth ◽

Morgan Denny ◽

Jennifer A. Schrack

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Physical Function ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

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PHYSICAL FUNCTION AND NEIGHBORHOOD-BUILT ENVIRONMENT IN JAPANESE COMMUNITY-DWELLING OLDER ADULTS

The Gerontologist ◽

10.1093/geront/gnv186.07 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 55 (Suppl_2) ◽

pp. 424-425

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Built Environment ◽

Physical Function ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Neighborhood Built Environment ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

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Body Composition in Community-Dwelling Older Adults Before and After SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Longitudinal Prospective Study in a Rural Village Struck by the Pandemic

Journal of Primary Care & Community Health ◽

10.1177/21501327211047781 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

pp. 215013272110477

Author(s):

Oscar H. Del Brutto ◽

Robertino M. Mera ◽

Denisse A. Rumbea ◽

Pedro Pérez ◽

Bettsy Y. Recalde ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Body Composition ◽

Regression Models ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

The Body ◽

Study Results ◽

The Impact ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

Background: Information on the body composition of inhabitants of remote communities during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is limited. Using a longitudinal population-based study design, we assessed the association between SARS-CoV-2 infection and changes in body composition. Methods: Community-dwelling older adults living in a rural Ecuadorian village received body composition determinations before and 1 year after the pandemic as well as serological tests for detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. The independent association between SARS-CoV-2 infection and abnormalities in body composition at follow-up was assessed by fitting linear mixed models for longitudinal data. Results: Of 327 enrolled individuals, 277 (85%) received baseline and follow-up body composition determinations, and 175 (63%) of them became SARS-CoV-2 seropositive. Overall, diet and physical activity deteriorated during the follow-up. Multivariate random-effects generalized least squares regression models that included the impact of time and seropositivity on follow-up body composition, showed that neither variable contributed to a worsening in body composition. Multivariate logistic regression models disclosed that the serological status at follow-up cannot be predicted by differences in body composition and other baseline covariates. Conclusions: Study results suggest no increased susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection among older adults with abnormal body composition and no significant changes as a result of worse physical activity and dietary habits or seropositivity during the length of the study. Together with a previous study in the same population that showed decrease in hand-grip strength after SARS-CoV-2, results confirm that dynapenia (and not sarcopenia) is associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection in older adults.

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