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Relationship between cortisol and physical performance in older persons
Author(s) -
Peeters G. M. E. E.,
Van Schoor N. M.,
Visser M.,
Knol D. L.,
Eekhoff E. M. W.,
De Ronde W.,
Lips P.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
clinical endocrinology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.055
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1365-2265
pISSN - 0300-0664
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2265.2007.02900.x
Subject(s) - quartile , medicine , evening , cohort , body mass index , population , endocrinology , demography , confidence interval , sociology , physics , environmental health , astronomy
Summary Objective Hypercortisolism is associated with muscle weakness. This study examines the relationship between cortisol and physical performance in older persons. Design/patients The study was conducted within the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA), an ongoing cohort study in a population‐based sample of healthy older persons in the Netherlands. Data from the second (1995/1996) and fourth (2001/2002) cycle were used pertaining to 1172 (65–88 years) and 884 (65–94 years) men and women, respectively. Measurements Physical performance was measured by adding up scores on the chair stands, tandem stand and walk test (range 0–12). In the second cycle serum total and calculated free cortisol were assessed; in the fourth cycle evening salivary cortisol was assessed. Regression analysis (stratified for sex, adjusted for age, body mass index, alcohol use, physical activity and region) was performed to examine the cross‐sectional relationship between cortisol and physical performance. Results Women with higher calculated free cortisol scored less well on physical performance (b = –0·28 per SD higher cortisol, P = 0·016), which was mainly explained by poorer performance on the tandem stand (OR = 1·32 for a lower score per SD higher cortisol, P = 0·003). Men with higher salivary cortisol scored less well on physical performance (b = –0·90 in the highest vs. the lowest quartile, P = 0·008), which was mainly explained by poorer performance on the chair stands and walk test (OR = 1·88, P = 0·020 and OR = 1·81, P = 0·027, respectively, in the highest vs. the lowest quartile). Conclusion Physical performance is negatively associated with high cortisol levels in older persons.