Relation between hand grip strength,respiratory muscle strength and spirometric measures in male nursing home residents

Abstract

Adverse-outcomes related to sarcopenia are mostly mentioned as physical disability. As the other skeletal muscles, respiratory muscles may also be affected by sarcopenia. Respiratory muscle strength is known to affect pulmonary functions. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the relations between extremity muscle strength, respiratory muscle strengths and spirometric measures in a group of male nursing home residents. Among a total of 104 male residents, residents with obstructive measures were excluded and final study population was composed of 62 residents. Mean age was 70.5?±?6.7 years, body mass index: 27.7?±?5.3?kg/m² and dominant hand grip strength: 29.7?±?6.5?kg. Hand grip strength was positively correlated with maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) (r?=?0.35, p?<?0.01 and r?=?0.26, p?<?0.05, respectively). In regression analysis, the only factor related to MIP was hand grip strength; among spirometric measures only parameter significantly related to grip strength was peak cough flow (PCF). The association of PCF with grip strength disappeared when MIP alone or “MIP and MEP” were included in the regression analysis. In the latter case, PCF was significantly associated only with MIP. We found peripheric muscle strength be associated with MIP and PCF but not with MEP or any other spirometric parameters. The relation between peripheral muscle strength and PCF was mediated by MIP. Our findings suggest that sarcopenia may affect inspiratory muscle strength earlier or more than the expiratory muscle strength. Sarcopenia may cause decrease in PCF in the elderly, which may stand for some common adverse respiratory complications.     

Uncomplicated diabetes does not accelerate age-related sarcopenia

Abstract

Background: Diabetes is reported to accelerate sarcopenia (age-related loss of muscle mass and function). We aimed to assess muscle mass and strength in elderly diabetics, elderly non-diabetics, younger diabetics and healthy subjects, and to define correlates of muscle mass and strength in these subjects.

Methods: Sixteen elderly diabetics, 16 younger diabetics, 16 elderly non-diabetics and 18 younger non-diabetics were included. Elderly and diabetic subjects were first evaluated with exercise testing. Isokinetic leg extension and flexion tests were performed using a Cybex 350 dynamometer. Muscle mass was calculated using bioelectric impedance analysis.

Results: Muscle mass was similar between all groups; however, muscle strength was significantly lower in diabetic and non-diabetic elderly subjects compared with younger diabetic subjects and non-diabetics. Muscle strength was positively correlated with albumin, metabolic equivalent and hemoglobin, and inversely correlated with age, HbA1c, functional capacity and CRP. Independent correlates of muscle strength were age and hemoglobin. There was no clinically significant correlate of muscle mass. Presence or duration of diabetes was not associated with muscle mass or strength.

Conclusions: Uncomplicated diabetes does not seem to accelerate aging-related muscle mass or strength loss. Exercise test parameters may be useful markers in the screening of sarcopenia.     

The effect of 6 months of androgen deprivation therapy on muscle and fat mass in older men with localized prostate cancer

Objective.?To evaluate body composition changes, specifically skeletal muscle mass, in men receiving androgen deprivation with luteinizing-hormone releasing hormone-agonist (LHRH-A) for prostate cancer (PCa) in comparison with healthy controls.

Design.?Retrospective analysis of body composition changes in men with prostate cancer receiving LHRH-A therapy from 2 clinical trials compared to men without prostate cancer serving as a placebo-control in another clinical trial.

Setting.?Clinical Research Center in Connecticut.

Participants.?Thirty men (> 60 years) receiving 6 months of LHRH-A therapy for PCa were compared to a healthy group of 25 men without PCa.

Measurements.?Appendicular skeletal muscle/height² (ASM/ht²), lean and fat mass were assessed by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. Total testosterone levels were assessed by enzyme immunoassay.

Results.?At baseline, 12/30 (40%) of the treatment group and 7/25 (28%) of the control group (p = 0.11) met criteria for sarcopenia. There were no differences between control groups in ASM/ht² or lean mass. The LHRH-A group had a higher percent body fat than the control group, 29.8 ± 6.3 versus 26.3 ± 4.6 (p = 0.02). ASM/ht² and lean mass decreased in the LHRH-A group from 7.5 ± 0.9 kg to 7.3 ± 0.9 kg (?2.3% ± 0.03; p ? 0.001) and 53.5 ± 5.4 kg to 52.3 ± 5.3 kg (?2.1% ± 0.03; p ? 0.001), respectively. There was no muscle loss in the control group. At 6 months, the LHRH-A group had increased percent body fat from 29.8 ± 6.4 to 32.2 ± 5.8 (9.5% ± 0.13; p ? 0.001), whereas the control group had decreased in percent body fat from 26.6 ± 4.6 to 25.3 ± 5.0 (?3.8% ± 0.08; p = 0.02).

Conclusions.?Men undergoing LHRH-A treatment for PCa decreased appendicular skeletal muscle and lean tissue and increased body fat within 6 months of initiation of therapy. Lifestyle changes or medical interventions to minimize the effects of androgen deprivation therapy for PCa deserve investigation.     

Identification and treatment of older persons with sarcopenia

Abstract

In the last decades, sarcopenia in older persons has been operationalized by the assessment of lean body mass, muscle strength and/or physical performance. Several definitions of sarcopenia, using different parameters and cut-offs, have been proposed. However, which is the best definition to describe and to assess this condition is still matter of debate. Hand grip strength has been suggested as better predictor of incident mobility impairment and mortality, than skeletal muscle mass. In the light of the current knowledge, we sought to propose an operative approach for identifying and treating sarcopenic older persons according to main categories of sarcopenia: the age-related or primary sarcopenia and disease-related or secondary sarcopenia. We suggest that a quantitative assessment of grip strength alone might be sufficient to identify patients with primary sarcopenia. When chronic diseases accompany the ageing process, the combined assessment of muscle strength plus a balance test could be more appropriate. The identification of tests and pathological relevant cut-offs that facilitates the entry of sarcopenia into the clinical practice, could step forward researchers and physicians. This could be important for planning multidisciplinary models to maximize the maintenance of locomotive abilities especially in older persons affected by chronic diseases such as Parkinson’s disease.     

The impact of unsupervised regular walking on health: a sample of Turkish middle-aged and older adults

Regular walking is one of the most recommended and popular physical activity worldwide. This study (1) detected the effects of unsupervised regular walking on physical and cognitive functioning, emotional status, and quality of life in middle-aged and older adults and (2) compared the results with inactive controls. Forty middle-aged and older adults with a mean age of 56.30 ± 4.85 years (range 40–70) walking for at least 1 year, at least three times a week, and at least 45 min a day and 40 inactive participants with a mean age of 55.15 ± 5.64 years (range 40–70) participated. Before testing, sociodemographics of the participants were recorded. Body mass index and waist–hip ratio were calculated. The two groups were evaluated and compared in terms of physical functioning (handgrip strength, balance performance, cardio-vascular endurance, flexibility, muscular endurance and coordination), cognitive functioning (Mini Mental Test), emotional status (Beck Depression Inventory), and health related quality of life (CDC HRQOL- 4). The results obtained from this study showed that there were significant differences in terms of all outcome measurements between the groups (p < 0.05). The regular walking group had better scores in most parameters than the inactive controls. The results indicate that unsupervised regular walking improves health and is also a safe, cheap, and can easily be adapted into daily life. Therefore, it can be recommended to improve physical and cognitive functioning, emotional status, and quality of life of middle-aged and older adults.     

Predictors of low bone mineral density in elderly males with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: the role of body mass index

Objective.?The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between nutritional indices (Body mass index (BMI), serum albumin), sarcopenia, bone mineral density (BMD) and the severity of their pulmonary obstruction in elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods.?The method involved was a prospective transversal study; 82 males >65 years old, 41 stable patients with COPD and 41 healthy elderly individuals (controls). All subjects underwent spirometry, biochemical analyses and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. The significance of the differences between mean values and prevalence rates was tested. The relationships between BMD and independent predictors were analysed by multiple linear regressions. Logistic regression models were applied on dichotomised variables.

Results.?In patients with COPD, the prevalence of osteoporosis was higher in subjects with sarcopenia (46% vs. 0%; p?<?0.05) and with BMI?<?25.1?kg/m² (58% vs. 15%; p?<?0.02). Multiple regression analysis indicated that BMI, appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASMM), albumin, and forced expiration volume after 1?s (FEV1) explained the 70% of BMD variability at the hip and 56% at the spine. Logistic regression showed that a BMI?<?25.1?kg/m² was independently associated with osteoporosis risk (OR?=?10.0; 95%CI 1.3–76); no independent effect emerged for FEV1% (<and ?50%).

Conclusion.?In elderly males with COPD, the BMI values?≤25?kg/m² are more strongly related to low BMD levels than albumin values. Among those patients, BMI values within the normal range for younger adults might point out a higher risk of osteoporosis.     

Use of urban marine habitats by foraging wading birds

Wading birds (i.e, Ardeidae: herons, egrets, and bitterns) are a guild of waterbirds that forage in coastal habitats which in the US and Europe are often located in close proximity to urban centers. However, the use of urban marine habitats may have consequences for bird populations, as birds can be subject to stress from increased levels of passive and active human disturbance. We examined the effects of human disturbance, available foraging habitat, and prey abundance on wading bird density and species richness at 17 urban coastal sites in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island USA. The sites represented a gradient of immediately adjacent residential and commercial land use (e.g., 0.0–67.7% urban land use within a 30.5 m buffer of the sites) within an urban matrix (i.e., all sites were located within a suburban center with a population of about 85,000 people). Wading bird density (0.62 ± 0.12 birds ha⁻¹) and species richness (average 4.49 ± 0.37 species across all sites) were not influenced by passive human disturbance as measured by the extent of urban land surrounding a site. However, wading bird density and species richness both decreased significantly as active disturbance (i.e., number of boats moored or docked upstream of the site) increased (r = −0.56, F = 6.85, p = 0.019 and r = −0.73, F = 16.6, p = 0.001, respectively). In addition, both density (r = 0.72, F = 16.2, p = 0.001) and species richness (r = 0.72, F = 16.2, p = 0.001) increased concomitantly with a prey index that combines the density of fish and invertebrates on which the birds feed with the amount of available shallow water foraging habitat at a site. Our results suggest that wading birds i) may not be negatively affected by urban land surrounding estuarine foraging areas in and of itself; and ii) may be utilizing urban areas in the absence of high levels of active disturbance to take advantage of potentially enhanced prey resources. In the case where the benefits of foraging at a site outweigh the costs related to human disturbance, urban marine habitats may need to be considered for restoration or protection from further increases in active human disturbance.     

Association between sarcopenia and erectile dysfunction in males with type II diabetes mellitus

Background: The prevalence rates for both sarcopenia and erectile dysfunction (ED) gradually increase in middle-aged and elderly diabetic male population and they impair physical functioning, sexual functioning, and quality of life. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the sarcopenia in patients with diabetic ED.

Methods: The study included 98 male patients with type II diabetes mellitus (DM) aged 18–80?years. Blood chemistry and hormone levels were obtained. The International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) questionnaire was administered to the patients. The patients were divided into three groups according to the IIEF-5 score; a score of 5–10 points indicated severe ED, a score of 11–20 indicated moderate ED, and a score of 21–25 points indicated no ED. The muscle mass, handgrip strength, timed up and go test, upper mid-arm circumference, calf circumference, and body mass index were obtained. The statistical analysis was performed using MedCalc Statistical Software version 12.7.7. All parameters were compared between the three groups.

Results: Of 98 patients included in the study, 84 patients had severe sarcopenia, 13 had moderate sarcopenia, while only one patient had normal muscle mass. The mean age was 56.59?±?11.46?years. When patients were divided into three groups according to IIEF-5 score, 38 had severe ED, 39 had moderate ED, and 21 had no ED. There was a significant difference between the three groups in terms of handgrip strength, timed up and go test scores, upper mid-arm circumference, and calf circumference (p?Conclusions: Although muscle mass remains unchanged, muscle strength and physical performance decrease in diabetic ED patients. Diabetic patients with severe and moderate ED have lower muscle strength and physical performance.     

Toward increasing avian diversity: urban wildscapes programs

Residential development in urban and suburban settings is a major cause of habitat change affecting avian communities. The effects from land-clearing prior to initiation of construction followed by landscaping focused on traditional aesthetics has reduced habitat diversity at multiple levels. These residential developments generally emphasize the use of ornamental, nonindigenous vegetation with little to no concern for native species and natural vegetation parameters. As a result, avian community composition and diversity is changed. We compared avian communities at three sites in Bexar County, Texas; two residential neighborhoods in the city of San Antonio and an unincorporated undeveloped site, Government Canyon State Natural Area. The residential neighborhoods were a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department certified wildscapes development and a traditionally developed neighborhood. Bird abundance and species richness in the neighborhoods were greater than at Government Canyon State Natural Area (P < 0.01), but no differences existed between the neighborhoods. Bird diversity was greatest at the wildscapes neighborhood (P < 0.01). Further, bird diversity did not differ between the traditional neighborhood and the natural area. Evenness differed among sites (P = 0.006) with the natural area having the greatest value. Bird diversity measures correlated with woody plant density and vertical cover (r = 0.358 to 0.673, P < 0.05) at residential sites. Residential areas incorporating natural landscapes into their design attracted a greater variety of birds than traditionally landscaped residential areas.     

Serum oxidizability potential is associated with age and exercise test results

The purpose of this paper is to find out whether serum oxidizability potential measured before an exercise test (EXT) correlates with age and ischemic heart disease severity. Oxidizability potential was determined in 3 age groups, in gr. I patients < 45 years, in gr. II age range = 45 - 70years {\hbox{range}} = {45} - {7}0{\hbox{years}} , and in gr. III patients > 70 years. Included subjects had chronic ischemic heart disease (IHD) and underwent a symptom-limited EXT upon initiation of a cardiac rehabilitation program. The thermo-chemiluminescence (TCL) assay was used to assess serum oxidizability potential. This assay is based on heat-induced oxidation of serum, leading to the formation of electronically excited species in the form of unstable carbonyls, which further decompose into stable carbonyls and light energy (low chemiluminescence). Measured photons emission is represented by a kinetic curve which is described by its amplitude and slope (=ratio). We assessed the correlations of TCL ratio with age, exercise duration, metabolic equivalents (METS), maximal heart rate (mHR), maximal systolic BP, >1 mm S-T depression, diabetes, hypertension, smoking, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)> or <40%, previous myocardial infarction, and aorto-coronary bypass surgery. A high TCL ratio (%) correlated well with METS (r = 0.82), mHR (r = 0.77) and with exercise-induced S-T segment shift (r = 0.86, p < 0.05). A lower serum oxidizability potential, expressed as a low TCL ratio, thus suggestive of a previous high oxidative stress, was found in the two older age groups compared to gr. I (<45 years), p = 0.041, and in particular, in gr. III patients with low LVEF%. The TCL ratio (%) in gr. III was 188.7 ± 14.5, 192 ± 17 in gr. II, and 214 ± 13 in gr. I (p < 0.05), and was 166 ± 13.1 in gr. III with LVEF < 45% as compared to 271 ± 15.7 in gr. I patients with LVEF > 45% (p < 0.01). A trend for lower TCL ratio (%) was found in diabetic, hypertensive, and post-coronary bypass surgery patients. A paradoxically low TCL ratio (low oxidizability potential) was observed in patients without S-T depression compared to patients with S-T depression (189 ± 22 vs. 201 ± 15, p = NS), due to the fact these patients had a much lower LVEF% and a lower exercise capacity. Serum oxidizability potential is associated with age, EXT parameters, results, and IHD severity. TCL ratio is an “easy-to-measure marker” that might be incorporated into risk assessment and prediction in aged IHD patients.     

Impacts of traffic noise on anuran and bird communities

Anurans and birds rely on sound for a number of social behaviors. Species that use roadside habitats are exposed to traffic noise that can mask important social signals and directly affect the community diversity and composition. We evaluate the impact of traffic noise on anuran and bird species richness, species occurrence, and composition in Puerto Rico, where there is a high density of highways and cars that generate high levels of noise pollution. We compared paired forest sites near (100 m, n = 20, dB > 60) and far (>300 m, n = 20, dB < 60) from highways, with similar vegetation structure, but different levels of noise. We found that the anuran community was not affected by traffic noise. In contrast, bird species richness and occurrence were significantly lower in sites near the highway, and bird species composition also varied significantly. Bird species with low-frequency songs were only detected in sites far from highways. The differences in the ecology and communication behavior between anurans and birds could explain these results. Anurans mainly call at night, when traffic activity was low. In contrast, bird singing activity occurs during the day and overlaps with the high levels of traffic noise. In addition, in natural habitats, Puerto Rican anurans occur at high densities and form noisy choruses (>80 dB), which may allow them to tolerate high levels of anthropogenic noise.     

Running on age in a 15-km road run: minor influence of age on performance

The importance of exercise in the elderly is widely recognized, but data on performances and drop-out in short running contests are lacking. This hinders stimulation and coaching of elderly persons in active aging. The aim of the study was to determine age-related changes in running performance in the most popular Dutch road run, and how this is influenced by gender, training, and increased participation rate over the last decade. This is a retrospective analysis of 194,560 participants of a 15-km run from 1995 to 2007. Multiple regression analysis of running time by age, gender, and training was performed. Trends in participation were examined by chi-square tests and ANOVA. Trends in running time and speed were examined by t tests. With aging, running time increased with 0.20% per year (P < 0.001). Running time was on average 13% (P < 0.001) shorter in men than in women and was 15.7% (P < 0.001) shorter in participants who trained on a regular basis. Decline in performance with age was 5.9% larger for men than women (P < 0.01) and 4.5% larger for trained than untrained participants (P < 0.01). Over the last decade, participation numbers increased most for elderly (≥60 years) and female participants, mean running performance declined with 9.9% (P < 0.001). Drop-out number was low at all ages (0.13–0.29%). It appears that aging has only minor negative influences on running performance, which can even be attenuated by training. Our data suggest that exercise by means of running is a safe and rewarding option for improvement of healthy and active aging.     

Chemistry of growth medium and leachate from green roof systems in south-central Texas

Installation of intensive and extensive green roofs is becoming popular for reducing runoff from impervious surfaces in many cities around the world. Most studies on runoff quality from green roofs have been conducted in cooler northern climates. We examined the losses and gains of nutrients, cations and selected anions in planted and unplanted growth medium and compared these to initial growth medium (IGM) typically used for green roof modules in south-central Texas. Water extracts of growth medium and leachate from three replicates of unplanted growth medium and three planted species (Sedum kamtschaticum, Delosperma cooperi and Talinum calycinum) were examined. During the first 6 months after establishment we observed high losses of nitrate (25 to 44 mg kg⁻¹), dissolved organic carbon (DOC: 155 to 190 mg kg⁻¹) and nitrogen (DON: 9.0 to 11.2 mg kg⁻¹) and orthophosphate-P (1 to 2 mg kg⁻¹). Average leachate concentrations based on four rain events 6 months after establishment ranged from 0.3 to 6.6 mg L⁻¹ in planted modules and 6.3 mg L⁻¹ in unplanted modules for nitrate-N, 38 to 42 mg L⁻¹ in planted modules and 32 mg L⁻¹ in unplanted modules for DOC, 2.1 to 3.1 mg L⁻¹ in planted modules and 2.1 mg L⁻¹ in unplanted modules for DON and 0.27 to 0.37 mg L⁻¹ in planted modules and 0.40 mg L⁻¹ in unplanted modules for orthophosphate-P. We suggest that after the establishment of green roofs, leachate losses may contribute some runoff concentrations of nitrogen, carbon and phosphorous in urban areas.     

Gray squirrel density,habitat suitability,and behavior in urban parks

Increased density, increased intraspecific aggression, and a reduced fear of humans have been suggested as the more observable and frequently described characteristics of wildlife species undergoing synurbization, the process of becoming urbanized. The relationship among these variables and how they may be related to environmental variables that change with urbanization is poorly understood. In this paper we explore the relationship between density, intraspecific aggression, and reduced fear of humans in urban populations of gray squirrel. In the summer and fall of 2003 and 2004, we studied a park with a documented high density of gray squirrels, Lafayette Park, Washington, DC, and six urban parks in Baltimore, MD with unknown squirrel densities. We used linear regression (SAS Institute, SAS/STAT user’s guide. SAS Institute, Cary, NC, 2005) to determine if there was a relationship (P < 0.05) between squirrel density and intraspecific aggression, squirrel density and reduced fear of humans (wariness), and squirrel density and habitat suitability. We found a positive association between density and intraspecific aggression (R ² = 0.81, P < 0.00). A negative relationship between density and wariness (, P < 0.00). However, no relationship was evident between habitat suitability and squirrel density (, P = 0.437).     

Ceasing of muscle function with aging: is it the consequence of intrinsic muscle degeneration or a secondary effect of neuronal impairments?

Aging is associated with a significant decline in neuromuscular function leading to an eventual loss of independence and mobility of senescent people. Age-related sarcopenia, characterised by a reduction in muscle mass and strength, is considered one of the most striking features of aging at the level of the skeletal muscle. Morphological alterations in skeletal muscle can be considered as one of the consequences responsible for muscle weakness in the aged population. Beyond 60 years of age, human muscle undergoes a process of continuous denervation and reinnervation, due to an accelerating loss of motor units. It appears evident that phenotypic alterations in muscle depend on the motor drives provided by the nervous system. Because the peripheral nerves, the neuromuscular junction and motor neurons exhibit degenerative features during advanced age, sarcopenia does not seem to intrinsically develop, but is rather a secondary effect of impaired neuronal function. It is therefore recommended that elderly subjects undergo an exercise program that is aimed towards the improvement of coordinative skills and of muscle strength.     

The number of weak orderings of a finite set

The number of Arrovian constitutions, when N agents are to rank n alternatives, is p(n) ^{p(n) N} , where p(n) is the number of weak orderings of n alternatives. For n≤15, p(n) is the nearest integer to n!/2(log2) ^{n +1}, the dominant term of a series derived by contour integration of the generating function. For large n, about n/17 additional terms in the series suffice to compute p(n) exactly. Received: 29 May 1995 / Accepted: 22 May 1997     

Acyclic sets of linear orders

 A set of linear orders on {1,2, ℕ, n} is acyclic if no three of its orders have an embedded permutation 3-cycle {abc, cab, bca}. Let f (n) be the maximum cardinality of an acyclic set of linear orders on {1,2, ℕ, n}. The problem of determining f (n) has interested social choice theorists for many years because it is the greatest number of linear orders on a set of n alternatives that guarantees transitivity of majority preferences when every voter in an arbitrary finite set has any one of those orders as his or her preference order. This paper gives improved lower and upper bounds for f (n). We note that f (5)=20 and that all maximum acyclic sets at n=4, 5 are generated by an “alternating scheme.” This procedure becomes suboptimal at least by n=16, where a “replacement scheme” overtakes it. The presently-best large-n lower bound is approximately f (n)≥(2.1708) ⁿ . Received: 5 April 1995/Accepted: 10 November 1995     

Intellectual Integration and Articles in Core Sociology Journals, 1960–2000

This study builds on and extends two studies by Oromaner (J Am Soc Inf Sci, 28:34–37, 1977; Int J Inf Manage, 6:29–35, 1986) in which he examined the integrating role of sociology’s three core general journals (American Journal of Sociology (AJS), American Sociological Review (ASR), Social Forces (SF)) among both core (N = 3) and specialty (N = 7) journals. In each study he traced the number of citations received by full-length articles published in the core journals (1960, 1973) during the first 10 years after publication. The present study replicates this methodology for articles published in 1990. In addition, the present study looks at the relationship between each of the core journals and each of the ten citing journals. The percent of core articles cited has increased from 67 to 84, however, the percent cited in five or more journals has remained quite stable and low (13%, 10%, 12%). Core journal articles are more likely to be cited in core journals than they are in specialty journals, and there appears to be some relationship between specific core journals and certain specialty journals. More in depth analysis is presented for the 1990 cohort.     

Low skeletal muscle mass index is associated with function and nutritional status in residents in a Turkish nursing home

Introduction: To determine the prevalence of low muscle mass (LMM) and the relationship between LMM with functional and nutritional status as defined using the LMM evaluation method of European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) criteria among male residents in a nursing home.

Methods: Male residents aged?>60 years of a nursing home located in Turkey were included in our study. Their body mass index (BMI) kg/m², skeletal muscle mass (SMM-kg) and skeletal muscle mass index (SMMI-kg/m²) were calculated. The participants were regarded as having low SMMI if they had SMMI?<9.2?kg/m² according to our population specific cut-off point. Functional status was evaluated with Katz activities of daily living (ADL) and Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL). Nutritional assessment was performed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). The number of drugs taken and chronic diseases were recorded.

Results: One hundred fifty-seven male residents were enrolled into the study. Their mean age was 73.1?±?6.7 years with mean ADL score of 8.9?±?2.0 and IADL score of 8.7?±?4.6. One hundred twelve (71%) residents were aged?>70 years. Thirty-five men (23%) had low SMMI in group aged?>60 years, and twenty-eight subjects (25%) in the group aged?>70 years. MNA scores were significantly lower in residents with low SMMI compared with having normal SMMI (17.1?±?3.4 versus 19.6?±?2.5, p?=?0.005). BMI was significantly lower in the residents with low SMMI compared with normal SMMI (19.6?±?2.7 versus 27.1?±?4.1, p70 years (8.1?±?2.6 versus 9.1?±?1.6, p?=?0.014). In regression analyses, the only factor associated with better functional status was the lower age (p?=?0.04) while the only factor associated with better nutrition was higher SMMI (p?=?0.01).

Conclusions: Low SMMI detected by LMM evaluation method of EWGSOP criteria is prevalent among male nursing home residents. There is association of low SMMI with nutritional status and probably with functional status within the nursing home setting using the EWGSOP criteria with Turkish normative reference cut-off value.     

Correlates of sport participation among community-dwelling elderly people in Germany: a cross-sectional study

The aims of this study were (1) to analyze the sport participation in a cohort of community-dwelling elderly people in Germany and (2) to evaluate associations between sport participation, sociodemographic factors, cardiovascular risk factors, and health status. In a monitored prospective cohort study (getABI), 6,880 unselected patients ≥65 years have been followed up by 344 general practitioners beginning in 2001. As part of the 5-year follow-up telephone interview, a sample of 1,376 participants was interviewed on sport participation. The association between participation in at least one sporting activity (“sporty” yes/no) during the past week (cycling) or month (other sports) and the following parameters was analyzed by logistic regression: age, sex, immigration background, education, waist circumference, smoking, self-reported health, history of vascular events, diabetes mellitus, lipometabolic disorder, and arterial hypertension. Analysis of activities (n = 1,304; median age 76 (70–94) years; 55.1% women) showed that 27.6% of participants rode a bicycle during the previous week. During the previous month, 24.9% of participants did gymnastics or strength training, and 16.5% swam. Of all participants, 53.8% were sporty. Multivariate analysis revealed several independent factors to be associated with being sporty (p < 0.05): younger age, male sex, higher education, nonsmoking, better self-reported health, and not being diagnosed with diabetes. Immigration background, waist circumference, history of vascular events, lipometabolic disorder, and hypertension did not show a statistically significant association (p ≥ 0.05) with sport participation. Summing up, the most frequently performed sporting activities were cycling, gymnastics or strength training, and swimming. Sport participation was associated with, for example, age and sex.