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Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between body flexibility and sarcopenia
Peng Gao1,2, Da Gan1,2, Shanshan Li1,2
1Chronic Disease Research Institute, The Children's Hospital, and National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, School of Public Health, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle
|December 23, 2022
Summary
Higher body flexibility is linked to a lower risk of sarcopenia in adults over 50. Maintaining and improving flexibility may help prevent age-related muscle loss and weakness.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Musculoskeletal Health
- Preventive Medicine
Background:
- The relationship between body flexibility and sarcopenia remains unclear.
- Sarcopenia, characterized by low muscle mass and strength, is a significant concern for aging populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between body flexibility and sarcopenia.
- To determine if flexibility influences the development of low muscle mass, low muscle strength, and sarcopenia over time.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the WELL-China and Lanxi cohorts, including 9453 participants for cross-sectional analysis and 1233 for longitudinal follow-up.
- Assessed body flexibility using the sit-and-reach test, muscle mass via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and muscle strength with handgrip strength.
- Employed multivariable logistic regression to analyze associations between flexibility and sarcopenia indicators.
Main Results:
- High body flexibility was inversely associated with low muscle mass, low muscle strength, and sarcopenia in cross-sectional analyses.
- Longitudinally, high baseline flexibility correlated with a reduced risk of incident low muscle strength and sarcopenia.
- Each 1-cm increase in flexibility over 4 years was linked to a decreased risk of developing low muscle mass, low muscle strength, and sarcopenia.
Conclusions:
- Enhanced body flexibility is associated with a lower incidence of sarcopenia and its components.
- Flexibility interventions and monitoring flexibility changes may be beneficial strategies for preventing sarcopenia in older adults (50+).
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