ObjectivesThis study evaluated the relationship between the skeletal muscle mass (SMM), obtained by predictive equations, and the body composition, nutritional aspects, functionality and physical performance in elderly people.MethodsThe sample consisted of adults aged 65 years or over from the cross-sectional study of the Brazilian Elderly Frailty Study Network, in Cuiabá, Mato Grosso State, Brazil. The anthropometric parameters, instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), and handgrip strength (HGS) were evaluated. The SMM was estimated by 2 predictive anthropometric equations.ResultsBoth SMM equations correlated with age, anthropometric indices, SPPB, IADL, and HGS. However, only HGS and neck circumference strongly correlated in both equations, being higher in SMM II.ConclusionsIt seems that both equations are sensitive to obtain the SMM, contributing to the diagnosis of sarcopenia, nutritional status, and a physical performance condition.

However, sarcopenia cannot be considered only in relation to age, but as a multidimensional geriatric syndrome 4 , given its high prevalence in the elderly, since more than 50% of the population over 80 years old suffers from this medical condition 5,6. In addition to the inherent aspects of aging itself, it is determined by genetic predisposition, life habits, changes in living conditions, and chronic diseases 7 , which may contribute to the weakness and loss of independence in daily activities 8 , still being an independent predictor of hospitalization, disability, and death 9. In recent years, some experts have created consensus on a broader diagnosis of sarcopenia: The European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP), which recommends a diagnosis based on decreased muscle mass, Abstract Objectives: There is little information about the risk factors for sarcopenia and dynapenia. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of sarcopenia and dynapenia and to verify which risk factors are associated with the elderly population. Methods: A total of 387 elderly people were evaluated. We used a questionnaire to identify sociodemographic and behavioral aspects. For physical performance, we used the Short Physical Performance Battery. Using the European Working Group of Sarcopenia in Older People consensus, we defined sarcopenia that includes the occurrence of low muscle mass, added to low muscle strength or low physical performance. Dynapenia was defined using handgrip strength. Results: Sarcopenia and dynapenia were identified in 15.3% and 38.2% of the elderly people, respectively; 15.8% of women and 14.2% of men had sarcopenia, and 52.4% of women and 13.5% of men had dynapenia. Sarcopenia was associated with the increase in aging, white race, smoking, and risk of malnutrition. Dynapenia is more likely to occur in women and hospitalized patients. Conclusion: Sarcopenia had a greater association with the risk factors evaluated here, mainly with smoking and nutritional status. On the other hand, dynapenia was different, having a greater association with hospital intervention.

This study aims to investigate the effects of fish oil supplementation on the muscle adaptive response to resistance exercise training, physical performance and serum levels of inflammatory cytokines in sarcopenic older women. A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial is performed with thirty-four sarcopenic women (2010 European Consensus of Sarcopenia), aged ≥ 65 years. The participants are allocated into the following two groups: Exercise and Fish Oil (EFO) and Exercise and Placebo (EP). Both groups undertook a resistance exercise programme over 14 weeks. All participants are instructed to ingest 4 g/day of food supplements; the EP group received sunflower oil capsules, and the EFO group, fish oil capsules. The cross-sectional area (CSA) of the quadriceps muscle is calculated using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The strength of the lower limbs is measured using isokinetic dynamometry. Both groups show improvements in CSA and strength after the intervention. Changes in EFO are significantly greater compared with EP for muscle strength (peak torque, 19.46 Nm and 5.74 Nm, respectively, p < 0.001). CSA increased after the intervention in both groups (EFO; 6.11% and EP; 2.91%), although there is no significant difference between the groups (p = 0.23). There are no significant intra-group, inter-group or time differences in any of the cytokines measured. The use of fish oil supplementation potentiates the neuromuscular response to the anabolic stimulus from training, increasing muscle strength and physical performance in sarcopenic older women.

Introduction: Depression is a psychiatric disease that causes losses in the biopsychosocial aspect of the affected individuals. The prevalence in the elderly population is significant, and identify the factors related to this outcome allows preventive measures and treatment can be early applied. Objective: Assessing the association between depression and sociodemographic and health risk factors in the elderly. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study involving 388 elderly of both genders, aged 65 years and older, urban residents of the city of Cuiabá, state of Mato Grosso (MT), Brazil. A sociodemographic questionnaire, as well as a self-report of chronic diseases and lifestyle, a self-report questionnaire of functional capacity, occurrence of falls, Geriatric Depression Scale, mental state assessment, and anthropometry tests were used. The chi-square test, odds ratio (OR), and multiple logistic regression with 95% confidence interval and p<5% were used in the statistical analysis. Results: There was a predominance of women (64%) who were mulatto/caboclo/brown skin (43%) and married (45%). Depression was significantly associated with: the lowest level of education, <8 years (OR=2.15; p=0.012), partial or total dependence of instrumental activities of daily living (OR=1.85; p=0.003), having five or more diseases (OR=2.93, p=0.002), falls in the last twelve months (OR=1.90; p=0.021), and sleep (OR=2.39; p<0.001) and visual difficulties (OR=2.28; p<0.001). Conclusion:  Depression in this group of elderly was associated with modifiable and preventable factors in the health of these people. Thus, the early diagnosis of risk factors associated with depression, the inclusion of social, physical and cognitive activities must be considered for their prevention.

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