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Published on: July 5, 2017
Changes in healthy elderly women's physical performance: a 3-year follow-up
Giuseppe Sergi1, Silvia Sarti, Marco Mosele
1Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Geriatrics Division, University of Padova, via Giustiniani 2, Padua, Italy. giuseppe.sergi@unipd.it
Experimental Gerontology
|September 3, 2011
Summary
Physical performance declines in active elderly females with age, even with preserved muscle mass. Increased parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels correlate with reduced walking speed, suggesting a role in age-related decline.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Exercise Physiology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Age-related muscle mass loss and performance decline may involve inflammation, low vitamin D, and secondary hyperparathyroidism.
- This study investigates these factors in healthy, active elderly females over three years.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine changes in muscle mass, strength, and physical performance in healthy, active elderly females.
- To correlate these changes with inflammatory markers, parathyroid hormone (PTH), and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) levels over a 3-year period.
Main Methods:
- 100 healthy females (65+ years) with regular mild fitness programs were assessed at baseline and after 3 years.
- Evaluations included clinical history, serum parameters, DEXA body composition, handgrip and knee extensor strength, and the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB).
Main Results:
- Significant decreases in weight and height were observed; BMI and body composition remained unchanged.
- Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and PTH levels increased significantly, while 25-OHD levels did not change.
- All SPPB measures and muscle strength significantly decreased; increased PTH correlated with slower walking speed.
Conclusions:
- Physical performance declines with age in healthy, active females, independent of muscle mass changes.
- Elevated PTH levels appear to contribute to this decline in physical function, warranting further investigation.
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