The Power of Music: Enhancing Muscle Strength in Older People

Sarcopenia is a major problem occurring in the aging population. Based on previous research, music appears to have a positive influence on many aspects of life, including physical performance. This led to the question of whether listening to self-selected favorite music could improve peripheral muscle strength in older people. In this crossover study, community-dwelling people aged 65 and older were included. All participants performed handgrip strength measurements in three different circumstances: while listening to their favorite music, their most disliked music, and no music at all. As the primary outcome measurement, the within-person differences in maximum handgrip strength between the three music conditions were analyzed. A total of 153 participants (aged 73.0 ± 6 years) were included. Listening to favorite music resulted in an increase in maximum handgrip strength of +0.87 kgf (0.54–1.21, p < 0.001) compared to no music, and of +0.97 kgf (0.56–1.37, p < 0.001) compared to least favorite music. Thus, listening to favorite music has a positive effect on handgrip strength in older people. Apart from its implications for scientific grip strength measurements, this effect may be used as a fun and innocent stimulant in rehabilitation and workout classes with seniors, which could be further tested in a range of older people.

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Comparison between Original and Reviewed Consensus of European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People: A Probabilistic Cross-Sectional Survey among Community-Dwelling Older People

Gerontology ◽

10.1159/000519304 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Erik Ramirez ◽

Rogelio Salas ◽

Cristina Bouzas ◽

Rosario Pastor ◽

Josep A. Tur

Keyword(s):

Muscle Strength ◽

Older People ◽

Muscle Mass ◽

Working Group ◽

Handgrip Strength ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

European Working Group ◽

European Working

Introduction: The European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) published a consensus on sarcopenia in 2010 and updated it in 2019 (EWGSOP2) which included the use of specific cut-off points. The aim was to assess how much prevalence of sarcopenia differed between EWGSOP2 and EWGSOP, as well as the use of specific cut-off points to assess differences in presarcopenia versus probable sarcopenia. Methods: Observational, transversal, and comparative study (n = 1,283 older adults; 57% women). Anthropometrics and handgrip strength were measured, and appendicular skeletal muscle mass equation was defined. Conceptual and methodological definitions of EWGSOP and EWGSOP2 consensus were applied to calculate prevalence of presarcopenia, probable sarcopenia, and sarcopenia. Results: Using cut-off points recommended for European population, prevalence of sarcopenia with EWGSOP2 was lower (−6.6%; p < 0.001) than EWGSOP. The prevalence of probable sarcopenia (EWGSOP2) was higher (+7.8%; p < 0.001) than EWGSOP presarcopenia. The agreement between EGWGSOP and EWGSOP2 was moderated (K = 0.45; IC = 0.40–0.51). Using specific-population cut-off points for muscle strength and appendicular muscle mass, the prevalence of probable sarcopenia with EWGSOP2 was higher (46.5%; p < 0.001) than EWGSOP (1.8%). The agreement between EGWGSOP and EWGSOP2 was moderated (K = 0.48; IC = 0.42–0.52). Conclusion: The new EWGSOP2 consensus underestimates the prevalence of sarcopenia, compared with EWGSOP using conventional cut-off points. The prevalence of presarcopenia with EWGSOP (low muscle mass) was lower than probable sarcopenia (low muscle strength) with the new EWGSOP2. In both cases, agreements between EWGSOP2 and EWGSOP were moderated. Discrepancies between the original and new consensus have implications on the primary health setting for identifying old and new cases for prevention and treatment.

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Prevalence of sarcopenia in community-dwelling older adults using the definition of the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2: findings from the Korean Frailty and Aging Cohort Study

Age and Ageing ◽

10.1093/ageing/afz091 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 48 (6) ◽

pp. 910-916 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Miji Kim ◽

Chang Won Won

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cohort Study ◽

Muscle Strength ◽

Older People ◽

Muscle Mass ◽

Working Group ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

European Working ◽

Definition Of ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract Background in October 2018, the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2 (EWGSOP2) updated their original definition of sarcopenia to reflect the scientific and clinical evidence that has accumulated over the last decade. Objective to determine the prevalence of sarcopenia in a large group of community-dwelling older adults using the EWGSOP2 definition and algorithm. Design a cross-sectional study. Setting the nationwide Korean Frailty and Aging Cohort Study (KFACS). Subjects a total of 2,099 ambulatory community-dwelling older adults, aged 70–84 years (mean age, 75.9 ± 4.0 years; 49.8% women) who were enrolled in the KFACS. Methods physical function was assessed by handgrip strength, usual gait speed, the five-times-sit-to-stand test, the timed up-and-go test, and the Short Physical Performance Battery. Appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Results according to the criteria of the EWGSOP2, the sarcopenia indicators of combined low muscle strength and low muscle quantity were present in 4.6–14.5% of men and 6.7–14.4% of women. The severe sarcopenia indicators of combined low muscle strength, low muscle quantity and low physical performance were present in 0.3–2.2% of men and 0.2–6.2% of women. Using the clinical algorithm with SARC-F as a screening tool, the prevalence of probable sarcopenia (2.2%), confirmed sarcopenia (1.4%) and severe sarcopenia (0.8%) was low. Conclusions the prevalence of sarcopenia among community-dwelling older individuals varied depending on which components of the revised EWGSOP2 definition were used, such as the tools used to measure muscle strength and the ASM indicators for low muscle mass.

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Association of dietary approaches to stop hypertension eating style and risk of sarcopenia

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-020-76452-0 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Sanaz Soltani ◽

Rezvan Hashemi ◽

Ramin Heshmat ◽

Ahmadreza Dorosty Motlagh ◽

Ahmad Esmaillzadeh

Keyword(s):

Older People ◽

Population Based ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Muscle Performance ◽

Limited Attention ◽

Dash Score ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Dash Diet ◽

European Working ◽

Study Participants

Abstract The association between habitual intake of the “dietary approaches to stop hypertension” (DASH) eating plan and sarcopenia has received limited attention. The present study aimed to investigate the association between adherence to DASH dietary pattern and sarcopenia and its components including muscle mass, muscle strength, and muscle performance among community-dwelling older adults population. This population-based cross-sectional study was performed in 2011 among 300 older people (150 men and 150 women) aged ≥ 55 years, who were selected using cluster random sampling method. Dietary intake of study participants were examined by the use of a Block-format 117-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The DASH score was constructed based on eight main foods and nutrients emphasized or minimized in the DASH diet. All components of sarcopenia was measured using standard protocols and sarcopenia was defined based on both former and new European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) guidelines. Mean age and BMI of study participants were 66.7 ± 7.7 years and 27.3 ± 4.2 kg/m2, respectively. Totally, 31 individuals meet the criteria of EWGSOP2-sarcopenia. We found no significant association between adherence to the DASH diet and EWGSOP2-sarcopenia either before (OR 1.08; 95% CI 0.45–2.54) or after adjustment for potential confounders (OR 1.04; 95% CI 0.39–2.75). The same findings were obtained in the gender-stratified analyses (men: OR 2.29; 95% CI 0.39–13.29 and women: 0.75; 95% CI 0.23–2.45). In conclusion, we found that adherence to the DASH-style diet was not significantly associated with odds of sarcopenia. Future prospective studies are required to confirm these findings.

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