Healthy Eating Is Associated with Sarcopenia Risk in Physically Active Older Adults

Healthy Diet and physical activity may play important roles in the maintenance of muscle health during aging. The aim of the present study was to explore the impact of adherence to healthy dietary patterns on sarcopenia risk in a sample of physically active older men and women, while considering adherence to guidelines on muscle strengthening activities (MSA) and protein intake. Based on a sample of 191 physically active men and women (65–70 years), dietary intake was assessed using a 90-items food-frequency-questionnaire (FFQ) and Healthy Diet Score (HDS) was calculated. Physical activity was assessed by accelerometry and self-report. A sarcopenia risk score (SRS) was derived based on three indicators of muscle health: muscle mass was assessed using bioelectrical impedance and handgrip strength and 5 times sit-to-stand (5-STS) were determined by standardized procedures. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to examine differences in SRS and its components across sex-specific tertiles of HDS, with adjustments for covariates including total energy intake, protein intake and MSA. A significant main effect (p < 0.05) of HDS on SRS was observed, where those belonging to the highest HDS tertile had lower SRS compared to those in the lowest tertile. A corresponding significant effect was observed for 5-STS performance, with better performance in those with the highest HDS adherence compared to those with the lowest. The present study supports guidelines emphasizing diet quality beyond amounts of macro- and micronutrients in the prevention of age-related deterioration of muscle health. Importantly, the benefits from healthy dietary patterns are evident in older adults who already adhere to guidelines for health-enhancing physical activity.

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Effects of Reallocating Time Spent in Different Physical Activity Intensities on Sarcopenia Risk in Older Adults: An Isotemporal Substitution Analysis

Biology ◽

10.3390/biology11010111 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 111

Author(s):

Jort Veen ◽

Diego Montiel-Rojas ◽

Fawzi Kadi ◽

Andreas Nilsson

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Protein Intake ◽

Handgrip Strength ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Self Report ◽

Linear Regression Models ◽

Age Related ◽

Muscle Health ◽

The Impact

The role of daily time spent sedentary and in different intensities of physical activity (PA) for the maintenance of muscle health currently remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated the impact of reallocating time spent in different PA intensities on sarcopenia risk in older adults, while considering PA type (muscle strengthening activities, MSA) and protein intake. In a sample of 235 community-dwelling older adults (65–70 years), a sarcopenia risk score (SRS) was created based on muscle mass assessed by bioimpedance, together with handgrip strength and performance on the five times sit-to-stand (5-STS) test assessed by standardized procedures. Time spent in light-intensity PA (LPA), moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), and being sedentary was assessed by accelerometry, and PA type (MSA) by self-report. Linear regression models based on isotemporal substitution were employed. Reallocating sedentary time to at least LPA was significantly (p < 0.05) related to a lower SRS, which remained evident after adjustment by PA type (MSA) and protein intake. Similarly, reallocating time in LPA by MVPA was related to a significantly (p < 0.05) lower SRS. Our results emphasize the importance of displacing sedentary behaviours for more active pursuits, where PA of even light intensities may alleviate age-related deteriorations of muscle health in older adults.

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Effects of Sex and Physical Activity Level on Serum Biomarker-Based Physiological Dysregulation: The Impact to Predict Frailty and Mortality in the Quebec NuAge Cohort

Gerontology ◽

10.1159/000514169 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-14

Author(s):

Ahmed Ghachem ◽

Frédérik Dufour ◽

Tamas Fülöp ◽

Pierrette Gaudreau ◽

Alan A. Cohen

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Kidney Function ◽

Oxygen Transport ◽

Physical Activity Level ◽

Rate Of Change ◽

Activity Level ◽

Men And Women ◽

Physiological Dysregulation ◽

The Impact

Background: Age-related changes in biological processes such as physiological dysregulation (the progressive loss of homeostatic capacity) vary considerably among older adults and may influence health profiles in late life. These differences could be related, at least in part, to the impact of intrinsic and extrinsic factors such as sex and physical activity level (PAL). Objectives: The objectives of this study were (1) to assess the magnitude and rate of changes in physiological dysregulation in men and women according to PAL and (2) to determine whether/how sex and PAL mediate the apparent influence of physiological dysregulation on health outcomes (frailty and mortality). Methods: We used data on 1,754 community-dwelling older adults (age = 74.4 ± 4.2 years; women = 52.4%) of the Quebec NuAge cohort study. Physiological dysregulation was calculated based on Mahalanobis distance of 31 biomarkers regrouped into 5 systems: oxygen transport, liver/kidney function, leukopoiesis, micronutrients, and lipids. Results: As expected, mean physiological dysregulation significantly increased with age while PAL decreased. For the same age and PAL, men showed higher levels of physiological dysregulation globally in 3 systems: oxygen transport, liver/kidney function, and leukopoiesis. Men also showed faster global physiological dysregulation in the liver/kidney and leukopoiesis systems. Overall, high PAL was associated with lower level and slower rate of change of physiological dysregulation. Finally, while mortality and frailty risk significantly increased with physiological dysregulation, there was no evidence for differences in these effects between sexes and PAL. Conclusion: Our results showed that both sex and PAL have a significant effect on physiological dysregulation levels and rates of change. Also, although a higher PAL was associated with lower level and slower rate of change of physiological dysregulation, there was no evidence that PAL attenuates the effect of physiological dysregulation on subsequent declines in health at the end of life. Substantial work remains to understand how modifiable behaviors impact the relationship between physiological dysregulation, frailty, and mortality in men and women.

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513Ophthalmic disease and older adults’ sedentary and physically-active behaviors: Findings from the NEIGE study

International Journal of Epidemiology ◽

10.1093/ije/dyab168.038 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 50 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

Shiho Amagasa ◽

Shigeru Inoue ◽

Hiroshi Murayama ◽

Takeo Fujiwara ◽

Hiroyuki Kikuchi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Living Arrangement ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Activity Patterns ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Analysis Of Covariance ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Physically Active ◽

Reciprocal Influences

Abstract Background Physical inactivity can be associated adversely with markers of eye health, but little is known about how ophthalmic disease (OD) may be related to sedentary behaviour (SB) and different intensities of physical activity in older adults. We compared device-assessed time spent in SB, light-intensity PA (LPA), and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) between older adults with and without OD. Methods A randomly-recruited sample of 512 community-dwelling older adults (47% male; aged 65–84 years) in Japan wore a valid tri-axial accelerometer for seven consecutive days in 2017. Prevalence of OD was assessed by medical interview. Times spent in SB, LPA, and MVPA were compared between those with and without OD by compositional multivariate analysis of covariance, adjusting for potential confounders (gender, age, residential area, living arrangement, working, body mass index, self-rated health, and cognitive function). Results Overall, percent times spent in SB, LPA, and MVPA during waking hours were 51.0, 44.6, and 4.4, respectively; and, 167 (36.5%) had OD. Activity patterns differed significantly between those with and without OD: in those with OD, the proportion of time spent in MVPA relative to other behaviours was lower, and the proportion of time spent in SB relative to other behaviours was higher. Conclusions Older adults with OD were found to be less physically active than those without. Key messages While these cross-sectional findings need to be confirmed by evidence from prospective studies, the reciprocal influences of OD and inactivity in older adults should be addressed as scientific, clinical and public health considerations.

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Associations between Circulating Inflammatory Biomarkers and Indicators of Muscle Health in Older Men and Women

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10225316 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (22) ◽

pp. 5316

Author(s):

Oscar Bergens ◽

Andreas Nilsson ◽

Fawzi Kadi

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Women ◽

Protein Intake ◽

Older Men ◽

Activity Level ◽

Inflammatory Biomarkers ◽

Men And Women ◽

Biological Sex ◽

Muscle Health ◽

Older Men And Women

Systemic inflammation is believed to contribute to declining muscle health during aging. The present study aims to examine associations between indicators of muscle health and pro- and anti-inflammatory biomarkers in older men and women, while also considering the impacts of physical activity and protein intake. An assessment of skeletal muscle index (SMI) by bioelectrical impedance analysis, handgrip strength, and 5-sit-to-stand time, using standardized procedures, was conducted in a population of older men (n = 90) and women (n = 148) aged 65–70 years. The inflammatory biomarkers C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, IL-18, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and macrophage inflammatory protein-1α were assessed in blood samples. Data were analyzed and stratified according to biological sex using multiple linear regression models. In older women, SMI was inversely associated with the pro-inflammatory markers CRP (β = −0.372; p < 0.05), fibrinogen (β = −0.376; p < 0.05), and IL-6 (β = −0.369; p < 0.05). Importantly, these associations were independent of abdominal adiposity (waist circumference), protein intake, physical activity level, as well as any adherence to muscle strengthening guidelines (≥2 sessions/week). In contrast, no corresponding associations were observed in men. In conclusion, our findings indicate the detrimental influence of a pro-inflammatory environment on muscle health regardless of important lifestyle-related factors in older women. However, the lack of such associations in older men highlights the importance of considering biological sex when examining the complex interaction between the systemic inflammatory environment and muscle health.

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Why physical activity matters for older adults in a time of pandemic

European Review of Aging and Physical Activity ◽

10.1186/s11556-020-00249-3 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Conor Cunningham ◽

Roger O’ Sullivan

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Population Level ◽

Later Life ◽

Careful Consideration ◽

Policy And Practice ◽

Physically Active ◽

World Government ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted communities across the world. Government responses, of promoting ‘social distancing’ at a population level, and ‘self-isolation’ of older adults to mitigate its spread have been unprecedented. Despite the importance of these Public Health and Social Measures (PHSM), they present challenges to maintaining a physically active lifestyle, particularly for older adults. Context The importance of physical activity (PA) for health is well documented. There is strong evidence that PA in later life reduces the risk of disease, helps to manage existing conditions, and develops and maintains physical and mental function. Staying physically active is particularly important for older adults currently. Implications and recommendations Research suggests that PHSM have already reduced levels of PA for older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to COVID-19 many older adults were not engaging in enough PA to attain health benefits. Evidence indicates that there will be an increase in the number of older adults not meeting guidelines for PA due to the impacts of COVID-19. This has implications for population health and public health policy. How to support older adults to remain physically active during and after the COVID-19 crisis will require careful consideration. Going forward it is imperative that policy and practice support all older adults to achieve the recommended levels of PA to ensure that they are not disadvantaged in the short- but also in the longer term by the impact of COVID-19.

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Exploring Active Travel and Leisure-Time Physical Activity Relationships With Cognition Among Older Adults

Journal of Aging and Physical Activity ◽

10.1123/japa.2019-0125 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 28 (4) ◽

pp. 580-587 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Madhura Phansikar ◽

Sean P. Mullen

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Leisure Time ◽

Leisure Time Physical Activity ◽

Active Travel ◽

Cognitive Outcomes ◽

Analysis Of Covariance ◽

Physical Activity Guidelines ◽

Metabolic Equivalent Of Task ◽

The Impact

Leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) is known to benefit cognition among older adults, but the impact of active travel is unclear. To explore this relationship, data from the 2011–2014 National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (N = 2,702; mean age = 70) were retrieved on the self-reported frequency and duration of active travel (walking/cycling for transport, >20 min), LTPA engagement (e.g., sport), and three cognitive outcomes. Four groups were created according to physical activity guidelines (600 metabolic equivalent of task/week): inactive (n = 1,790), active travelers (n = 210), engaging in LTPA (n = 579), and engaging in both (n = 123). Analysis of covariance (and follow-up comparisons) revealed a significant main effect for each cognition variable, after adjusting for the covariates, indicating that those engaging in LTPA performed the best. Although correlational, these findings suggest that LTPA engagement may be important for cognition among older adults, but active travel did not provide added benefit.

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Impact of Work and Recreational Physical Activity on Prediabetes Condition among U.S. Adults: NHANES 2015–2016

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18041378 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (4) ◽

pp. 1378

Author(s):

Lenin Pazmino ◽

Wilmer Esparza ◽

Arian Ramón Aladro-Gonzalvo ◽

Edgar León

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Protective Factor ◽

Hemoglobin A1c ◽

Physical Activities ◽

Recreational Physical Activity ◽

Physically Active ◽

Hba1c Test ◽

Health And Nutrition ◽

The Impact

More minutes of physical activity (PA) accumulated during a day are associated with a lower risk of diabetes mellitus type 2. However, it is less known if distinct dimensions of PA can produce a different protective effect in the prevention of prediabetes. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of work and recreational PA on prediabetes among U.S. adults during the period 2015–2016 using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database. Individuals (n = 4481) with hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) test values of 5.7% to 6.4% were included. A logistic regression multivariate-adjusted analysis was conducted to estimate the association between the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of prediabetes, with work and recreational PA. The prevalence of prediabetes among U.S. adults was lower in physically active individuals both at work (~24%) and recreational (~21%) physical activities compared to individuals who were not physically active (27 to 30%). Individuals lacking practice of recreational PA had a high risk of prediabetes (OR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.080 to 1.466). PA may be a protective factor for prediabetes conditions depending on gender, age, ethnic group, waist circumference, and thyroid disease.

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Impact of Regular Physical Activity on Aortic Diameter Progression in Paediatric Patients with Bicuspid Aortic Valve

Pediatric Cardiology ◽

10.1007/s00246-021-02591-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Emanuele Monda ◽

◽

Adelaide Fusco ◽

Alessandro Della Corte ◽

Martina Caiazza ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Ascending Aorta ◽

Regular Physical Activity ◽

Aortic Diameter ◽

Sinus Of Valsalva ◽

Physically Active ◽

The Impact ◽

Aorta Diameter ◽

Sedentary Subjects

AbstractPatients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) have an increased risk of aortic dilation and aortic dissection or rupture. The impact of physical training on the natural course of aortopathy in BAV patients remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of regular physical activity on aortic diameters in a consecutive cohort of paediatric patients with BAV. Consecutive paediatric BAV patients were evaluated and categorized into two groups: physically active and sedentary subjects. Only the subjects with a complete 2-year follow-up were included in the study. To evaluate the potential impact of physical activity on aortic size, aortic diameters were measured at the sinus of Valsalva and mid-ascending aorta using echocardiography. We defined aortic diameter progression the increase of aortic diameter ≥ 10% from baseline. Among 90 BAV patients (11.5 ± 3.4 years of age, 77% males), 53 (59%) were physically active subjects. Compared to sedentary, physically active subjects were not significantly more likely to have > 10% increase in sinus of Valsalva (13% vs. 8%, p-value = 0.45) or mid-ascending aorta diameter (9% vs. 13%, p-value = 0.55) at 2 years follow-up, both in subjects with sinus of Valsalva diameter progression (3.7 ± 1.0 mm vs. 3.5 ± 0.8 mm, p-value = 0.67) and in those with ascending aorta diameter progression (3.0 ± 0.8 mm vs. 3.2 ± 1.3 mm, p-value = 0.83). In our paediatric cohort of BAV patients, the prevalence and the degree of aortic diameter progression was not significantly different between physically active and sedentary subjects, suggesting that aortic dilation is unrelated to regular physical activity over a 2-year period.

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The Impact of Weather and Seasons on Falls and Physical Activity among Older Adults with Glaucoma: A Longitudinal Prospective Cohort Study

Sensors ◽

10.3390/s21103415 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (10) ◽

pp. 3415

Author(s):

Hursuong Vongsachang ◽

Aleksandra Mihailovic ◽

Jian-Yu E ◽

David S. Friedman ◽

Sheila K. West ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Fall Prevention ◽

Regression Models ◽

Activity Promotion ◽

Injurious Fall ◽

Multivariable Regression ◽

Multivariable Regression Models ◽

The Impact ◽

The Relationship

Understanding periods of the year associated with higher risk for falling and less physical activity may guide fall prevention and activity promotion for older adults. We examined the relationship between weather and seasons on falls and physical activity in a three-year cohort of older adults with glaucoma. Participants recorded falls information via monthly calendars and participated in four one-week accelerometer trials (baseline and per study year). Across 240 participants, there were 406 falls recorded over 7569 person-months, of which 163 were injurious (40%). In separate multivariable regression models incorporating generalized estimating equations, temperature, precipitation, and seasons were not significantly associated with the odds of falling, average daily steps, or average daily active minutes. However, every 10 °C increase in average daily temperature was associated with 24% higher odds of a fall being injurious, as opposed to non-injurious (p = 0.04). The odds of an injurious fall occurring outdoors, as opposed to indoors, were greater with higher average temperatures (OR per 10 °C = 1.46, p = 0.03) and with the summer season (OR = 2.69 vs. winter, p = 0.03). Falls and physical activity should be understood as year-round issues for older adults, although the likelihood of injury and the location of fall-related injuries may change with warmer season and temperatures.

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Profiles of Loneliness and Social Isolation in Physically Active and Inactive Older Adults in Rural England

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18083971 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (8) ◽

pp. 3971

Author(s):

Jolanthe de Koning ◽

Suzanne H. Richards ◽

Grace E. R. Wood ◽

Afroditi Stathi

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Social Isolation ◽

Physical Environment ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Social Contact ◽

Physical Activity Behaviour ◽

Rural Setting ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Physically Active

Objective: Loneliness and social isolation are associated with higher risk of morbidity and mortality and physical inactivity in older age. This study explored the socioecological context in which both physically active and inactive older adults experience loneliness and/or social isolation in a UK rural setting. Design: A mixed-methods design employed semi structured interviews and accelerometer-measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Interviews explored the personal, social and environmental factors influencing engagement with physical activities, guided by an adapted-socioecological model of physical activity behaviour. Findings: Twenty-four older adults (MeanAge = 73 (5.8 SD); 12 women) were interviewed. Transcripts were thematically analysed and seven profiles of physical activity, social isolation and loneliness were identified. The high-MVPA group had established PA habits, reported several sources of social contact and evaluated their physical environment as activity friendly. The low MVPA group had diverse experiences of past engagement in social activities. Similar to the high MVPA, they reported a range of sources of social contact but they did not perceive the physical environment as activity friendly. Conclusions: Loneliness and/or social isolation was reported by both physically active and inactive older adults. There is wide diversity and complexity in types and intensity of PA, loneliness and social isolation profiles and personal, social and environmental contexts.

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