The Relationship between Lower Extremity Muscle Mass and Physical Performance in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract

The aging process is characterized by gradual declines in physical function. Some elderly become frail and experience a decline in muscle mass and strength, as well as functional disability. Preserving physical performance could secure independent living, which for older adults permits the satisfaction of being self-sustained and reduces economic/health care costs. Elders who lose their mobility have higher rates of falls and injury, chronic disease, dependency, institutionalization, and mortality. Consequently, the need to identify specific factors that influence physical performance has become increasingly important for optimizing appropriate intervention strategies. In the older population, the changes in body composition, especially declines in muscle and bone mass, are challenging research topics with regard to physical performance. Previous epidemiological studies have shown inconsistent results examining muscle, fat and/or bone mass predicting physical performance among older adults. Several studies have reported an association between low muscle mass and limited physical performance. However, muscle mass is a weak and inconsistent predictor of physical performance compared with muscle strength.