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Influence of weight status on muscle quality in older adults
Author(s) -
Straight Chad R,
Brady Anne O,
Evans Ellen M
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.27.1_supplement.712.13
Subject(s) - overweight , medicine , obesity , body weight , lean body mass , dual energy , normal weight , zoology , endocrinology , biology , bone mineral , osteoporosis
The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of weight status on muscle quality in older adults. Community‐dwelling older adults (n=139) were assessed for body composition via dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry scanning and muscle power using the Nottingham Power Rig. MQ (watts/kg) was defined as leg muscle power (watts) normalized for mineral‐free lean mass of the lower body (kg). The sample was divided into four groups: normal weight males (n=12, 74.1±5.3 y, 23.6±1.3 kg/m 2 ), normal weight females (n=36, 74.5±6.4 y, 22.7±1.5 kg/m 2 ), overweight/obese males (n=29, 77.9±7.3 y, 28.8±3.3 kg/m 2 ), and overweight/obese females (n=62, 73.7±5.3 y, 29.4±3.5 kg/m 2 ). Analysis of covariance adjusted for age and number of medical conditions was conducted to examine the effect of weight status on MQ. Normal weight males (12.8 watts/kg) had significantly greater MQ relative to normal weight females (9.6 watts/kg) and overweight/obese females (8.4 watts/kg) (both p<.01). In addition, MQ was significantly greater in overweight/obese males compared to overweight/obese females (10.5 vs. 8.4 watts/kg, respectively, p<.01). These findings suggest that both weight status and sex influence MQ in older adults. Additional research is necessary to elucidate how weight‐related differences in MQ contribute to varying levels of functional performance in older men and women.