Aging is associated with loss of muscle mass and strength, impairing mobility in some cases, impeding walking and performing daily tasks, and putting older people at risk of falls and hospitalization.
In clinical practice, handgrip measurements are the most widely used method for identifying overall muscle weakness in the elderly. Values less than 26 kg for men and less than 16 kg for women have long been considered risk-related signs of weakness, but these parameters have been revised.
Researchers at the Federal University of San Carlos (UFSCar) in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil, have worked with colleagues from other institutions in the same state, such as the University of Sao Paulo’s Ribeirao Preto Medical College (FMRP-USP) and Nursing School (FMRP-USP). We are cooperating. EE-USP), the Faculty of Public Health (FSP-USP), and University College London (UCL) offer higher handgrip cutoff values than those normally used by doctors, physiotherapists, and nutritionists. Higher cutoffs allow early diagnosis and intervention to avoid clinical progression.
“Our study disagrees with the general view of loss of mobility. Based on demographic data and analysis of appropriate statistical methods, we tested normal cutoffs, 32 kg in men and 32 kg in women. Higher values, such as 21 kg, have been found to be more accurate, “a marker of motor impairment,” Tiagoda Silva Alexandre, a professor of geriatrics at UFS Car, told Agência FAPESP. Alexandre is coordinating InterCoLAging, a consortium of longitudinal studies involving epidemiological data from Brazil and the United Kingdom.
In this latest study, backed by FAPESP, researchers analyzed data from 5,783 people over the age of 60. All participated in the British Longitudinal Aging Study (ELSA) and the SABE study in the city of São Paulo.
The principal investigator at ELSA is Andrew Steptoe, a professor at UCL, with the support of Cesar de Oliveira, a researcher at the same institution. SABE is headed by Yeda Duarte and Jair Licio Ferreira Santos.
Early diagnosis
In an article about research published in Archive of gerontology and geriatricsResearchers found that movement disorders were 88% higher in older men weighing less than 32 kg and 89 in women weighing less than 21 kg, regardless of socioeconomic conditions, lifestyle, pre-existing illness, and anthropometric measurements. % Highly reported. ..
“The increase is significant. The most widely used cutoffs include 26 kg for men and 16 kg for women, but values vary by study and country,” said Alexander. ..
The study also describes a previous study in which dynamometer-measured grips correlated with walking speed in more than 5,000 older people involved in SABE and ELSA.
“We have significantly increased the cutoff to identify subjects most likely to have movement disorders and take action faster. Avoid all consequences of weakness and movement disorders. Because of this, the cause of the problem can be investigated and treatment designed. This maintains the functional capacity of the individual, promotes social interaction and enhances the quality of life during aging. Society as a whole For, using a higher cutoff helps reduce the cost of healthcare, “said Alexander.
Prevention is better than cure
Muscle strength is very important for mobility. A classic example is weakness in the lower limbs that prevents people from walking. However, muscle loss and weakness are both natural age-related processes that become a serious problem only when certain thresholds are exceeded.
Researchers have shown that loss of muscle mass and strength contributes significantly to movement disorders, but the exact point at which low muscle mass is associated with loss of strength and motility is not fully understood. .. “Muscle weakness depends on weight loss, but other factors in the process include neurological factors, hormonal and vitamin deficiencies, while muscle strength can be restored and is optimal. It is very important to have an indicator of timing. Start prophylactic treatment to avoid loss of mobility. ” UFSCar researcher and lead author of the article, Maicon Delinocente, said.
According to Delinocente, when a problem is diagnosed, it needs to be identified and treated with strength training and an appropriate high-protein / calorie diet.
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For more information:
Maicon Luís Bicigo Delinocenteetal, accuracy of various grip values to identify exercise restrictions in the elderly, Archive of gerontology and geriatrics (2021). DOI: 10.1016 / j.archger.2021.104347
Quote: Researchers are elderly people obtained from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2021-04-indicator-mobility-limitation-older-adults.html on April 19, 2021 (April 19, 2021). Revise the index of exercise restriction
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Researchers revise indicators of exercise restriction in the elderly
Source link Researchers revise indicators of exercise restriction in the elderly