The Possible Sarcopenia Associated with Independent Walking Older Adults

Abstract

The amount of skeletal muscle mass and mobility function increase during the childhood, peak at young adult, and then decline after middle age. Older adults with low skeletal mass and mobility function are associated with reduced physical performance. The older adult with a low level of mobility function, regardless of the amount of muscle mass, is defined as "possible sarcopenia". This study aims 1) to characterize the current state of the physical and mobility function at the peak levels of these parameters among young adults 2) to characterize their deterioration rates during middle-age and older-age years and older adults; and 3) to study the prevalence of possible sarcopenia among older adults. The cross-sectional study of anthropometric parameters, body compositions, and mobility assessments was conducted from independent walking young, middle, and older age adults in the community. Young adult male had higher levels of physical and mobility function than female. The changes in physical and mobility function during middle age were subtle. Older age male (female) lost skeletal muscle mass at-0.125 (-0.0190) kg/year, grip strength at-0.495 (-0.307) kg per year, and gait speed at-0.007 (-0.013) m/sec per year, respectively. The prevalence of possible sarcopenia in older age independent walking adults, determined by low grip strength, was 19.4%. The prevalence increased with advancing age.