Researchers: Hélio José Coelho-Júnior, Riccardo Calvani, Anna Picca, Matteo Tosato, Francesco Landi, Emanuele Marzetti
The present study was conducted to test the association between adherence to specific exercise modalities and sarcopenia severity in Italian older adults. Data were collected as part of the ongoing Longevity Check-Up 7+ (Lookup 7+) project. Lookup 7+ began in June 2015 and has since been conducted in unconventional settings (e.g., exhibitions, malls, social events) throughout Italy. In the present study, we used data on adults 65 years and older. Sarcopenia was identified according to the simultaneous presence of dynapenia and low appendicular muscle mass. Muscle strength was measured by isometric handgrip and sit-to-stand (STS) testing. Sarcopenia was categorized as severe if participants reported difficulty or inability to walk 400 m. Engagement in running and/or swimming (RS) or strength training with or without stretching (SS) was used to define exercise modalities. Analyses were conducted in 3289 participants (mean age: 72.7 ± 5.7 years; 1814 women). The results of the binary regression showed negative associations between RS and the presence of STS-based sarcopenia in women, and between RS and STS-based severe sarcopenia in men. Collectively, these findings indicate that RS is negatively associated with the presence of sarcopenia in large sample of relatively unselected Italian older adults.
References
- Exercise Programs for Muscle Mass, Muscle Strength and Physical Performance in Older Adults with Sarcopenia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
- Low Adherence to Mediterranean Diet Is Associated with Probable Sarcopenia in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Results from the Longevity Check-Up (Lookup) 7+ Project.
- High-Intensity Interval Circuit Training Versus Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training on Functional Ability and Body Mass Index in Middle-Aged and Older Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Topic: Running and Elderly Health