Preliminary study on appendicular skeletal muscle mass, muscular strength and function in the elderly / 中华老年医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the status of appendicular skeletal muscle mass,muscular strength and changes of muscle function in the elderly in Shanghai.Methods A total of 402 participants were recruited from physical examination centers in our hospital.Appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BtA).The ASM index (ASM/height2) was calculated.Muscle function was measured by testing gait speed (m/s).Muscle strength was measured by handgrip strength (HGS) using an electronic hand dynamometer.Results The ASM index significantly declined with age in both men and women (F＝2.133 and 3.124,both P＝0.000).For women,there was a significant difference in HGS only between the youngest age group (aged 60～69 years) and the oldest age group (aged≥80 years)(P＝0.005).For men,HGS was significantly different among all age groups (all P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in gait speed between 60-69 years group and 70-79 years group in both genders (both P＞0.05),while the significant differences in gait speed were observed between the 70-79 years old groups and ≥80year old group in both genders (both P＜0.05).Conclusions Appendicular skeletal muscle mass,strength and function are decreased with ageing in the elderly.The muscle strength decreases faster in the elderly man than in the elderly woman,and muscle function decreases significantly in both genders after 80 years old.