Relationship of Body Composition with the Strength and Functional Capacity of People over 70 Years

Fredy Alonso Patiño-Villada, Jerónimo J González-Bernal, Josefa González-Santos, José Antonio de Paz, Maha Jahouh, Juan Mielgo-Ayuso, Ena Monserrat Romero-Pérez and Raúl Soto-Cámara
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Fredy Alonso Patiño-Villada: University Institute of Physical Education and Sports, University of Antioquia, 76270 Antioquia, Colombia
Jerónimo J González-Bernal: Department of Health Sciences, University of Burgos, 09001 Burgos, Spain
Josefa González-Santos: Department of Health Sciences, University of Burgos, 09001 Burgos, Spain
José Antonio de Paz: Institute of Biomedicine, University of León, 24071 León, Spain
Maha Jahouh: Department of Health Sciences, University of Burgos, 09001 Burgos, Spain
Juan Mielgo-Ayuso: Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Valladolid, 42004 Soria, Spain
Ena Monserrat Romero-Pérez: Department of Sports and Physical Activity Sciences, University of Sonora, 83067 Sonora, Mexico
Raúl Soto-Cámara: Department of Health Sciences, University of Burgos, 09001 Burgos, Spain

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 21, 1-12

Abstract: Background: Aging is a multifactorial physiological phenomenon, in which a series of changes in the body composition occur, such as a decrease in muscle mass and bone mineral density and an increase in fat mass. This study aimed to determine the relationship of muscle mass, osteoporosis, and obesity with the strength and functional capacity of non-dependent people over 70 years of age. Methods: A cross-sectional study was designed, whose study population was all people aged over 70 years, living independently and attending academic and recreational programs. Muscle strength and functional capacity of the participants were assessed by isometric exercises of lower and upper limbs and by four tests taken from the Senior Fitness Test, respectively. Bone mineral density, total mass, fat mass, total lean mass, arms lean mass, legs lean mass, and appendicular lean mass (ALM) was calculated by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Differences in muscle strength and functional capacity, according to the sex, muscle mass, mineral bone density and fat mass, were measured by χ 2 test, independent samples Student’s t-test, analysis of covariance and a 2-factor analysis of covariance; Results: 143 subjects were included in the study group. Men and women with an adequate amount of ALM adjusted for body mass index (BMI) had a maximal dynamic biceps strength in a single repetition, a maximal isometric leg extension strength, a maximal dynamic leg extension strength in a single repetition, a maximum right hand grip strength and maximum hand grip strength (the highest). Significantly higher values were observed in the maximal isometric biceps’ strength in men with osteoporosis. Obese men had less isometric strength in the biceps and took longer to perform the chair stand test; Conclusions: Men and women with an adequate amount of ALM adjusted for BMI obtained better results in tests of muscle strength and functional capacity. However, osteoporosis and obesity are not related to these parameters.

Keywords: muscle power; functional fitness; muscle mass; fat mass; bone mass; elderly; Spain (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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