Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 12, 2026

3D Ultrasound Imaging: Fast and Cost-effective Morphometry of Musculoskeletal Tissue
Published on: November 27, 2017
[Changes of skeletal muscle mass among disabled elderly]
Simha Kimyagarov1, Shalom Levenkron, Anat Shabi
1"Gil-Ad", Geriatric Center, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer. simhakimyagarov@gil-ad-center.co.il
Background:
The reduction of skeletal muscle mass and strength, that occurs with aging (sarcopenia), leads to disability in the elderly population.
Objectives:
To investigate the prevalence of sarcopenia among older disabled nursing home residents and to examine the relationship between skeletal muscle mass (SMM) and routine data of nutritional, functional status and body composition estimations.
Participants:
Sixty three men and women aged 63 to 99 years old (mean +/- SD = 84.7 +/- 7.1) suffering from advanced dementia (89.8%), who have undergone evaluations and are considered disabled according to their functional status (FIM = 27-32 +/- 7.2-7.9%).
Measurements:
The whole SMM and body composition (FFM, FM) were assessed by daily urinary creatinine excretion and the results were compared to routine data on nutritional, functional status, body composition, functional status indexes and muscle strength (MMT).
Results:
Prevalence of sarcopenia was 87.5% and 41.0% for men and women, respectively. Significant differences were found in both gender groups in all indexes of body composition and SMM: prevalence of underweight was 15.4% in women vs 33.3% in men. Absolute levels of FFM and SMM in men were significantly higher, but relative to height2 were reduced among men compared to women. No correlation was found between SMM and routine data of nutritional status, but it highly correlates with values of functional status and body composition.
Conclusion:
Sarcopenia in elderly nursing home residents is one of the important parameters of disability and its prevalence in men is twice as high in comparison to women. The routine nutritional status assessments are limited to estimation of skeletal muscle mass. The method of measuring SMM, based on daily creatinine excretion, is simple but well correlated with body composition and functional status data.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Alterations in Muscle Tone lll
Disorders of the Skeletal Muscle
Musculoskeletal disorders
Musculoskeletal disorders involve injuries and conditions affecting the skeletal muscles and associated connective tissues. These disorders can arise from acute biomechanical stresses or chronic overuse and can occur across different age groups. Common injuries include sprains, fractures, and muscular strains, often resulting from...
Alterations in Muscle Tone ll
Cross-bridge Cycle
Bone Disorders
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
Changes in the Appendicular Skeleton with Age
Initially, the limb buds consist of a core of mesenchyme covered by a layer of ectoderm. The ectoderm at the end of the limb bud thickens to form a narrow crest called the apical ectodermal ridge. This ridge stimulates the underlying...

