Balancing Act: One-Leg Standing as a Window into Muscle Health in the Elderly
The study presents a novel insight into geriatric health, highlighting the one-leg standing time (OLST) as a simple yet effective indicator of muscle mass and quality in older adults. By examining over a thousand seniors, researchers found a direct correlation between shorter OLST and decreased muscle mass and higher fat deposition in muscles, indicating potential sarcopenia - a condition of age-related muscle degradation.
The findings suggest that regular assessment of OLST can be a practical tool for early detection of muscle deterioration in the elderly. This simple test could be pivotal in proactive healthcare, allowing for timely interventions to maintain muscle health and prevent the associated risks of falls and mobility issues.
In sum, OLST emerges as a key measure in understanding and preserving muscle health in older individuals. This research offers a straightforward approach for seniors and healthcare providers to monitor and address age-related muscle changes, ultimately contributing to better aging and quality of life.
Article Information
One-leg standing time is a simple measure for loss of skeletal muscle mass and fat deposition in muscle: the J-SHIPP study.
Aging Clin Exp Res. Yasuharu Tabara et al.
Abstract
Backgrounds: One-leg standing time (OLST) has been frequently used physical performance measure; however, what muscular characteristics OLST represents remains uncertain.
Aim: This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the association between OLST and muscle characteristics to clarify the possibility of using OLST as a physical performance measure.
Methods: Study participants comprised 1144 older adults aged 65 years or older. Computed tomography images provided mid-thigh skeletal muscle cross-sectional area and mean attenuation value. OLST was measured for a maximum of 60 s. Static postural instability was assessed using a posturography.
Results: A frequency of OLST < 20 s was increased by quartiles of muscle cross-sectional area (Q1: 33.6, Q2: 12.8, Q3: 13.6, Q4: 11.9%, P < 0.001) and mean attenuation value (Q1: 32.3, Q2: 21.7, Q3: 14.3, Q4: 7.7%, P < 0.001). Results of the multinomial regression analysis indicated that muscle cross-sectional area and mean attenuation value were independently associated with an OLST of less than 20 s. The crude odds ratio of OLST less than 20 s for the lowest quartiles of both cross-sectional area and mean attenuation value was 4.19 (95% CI: 3.01 - 5.84). The cross-sectional area of muscles with greater fat deposition was inversely associated with OLST, while that with smaller fat deposition showed a positive association with OLST, indicating why mean attenuation value and cross-sectional area were independently associated with OLST. No clear relationship was observed with static postural instability.
Conclusion: OLST was a simply measurable quantifiable physical measure representing the loss of muscle mass and quality in older adults.
Bring preventive care to your clinic
© Longevity Artificial Intelligence. All rights reserved.