Age-related changes in muscle strength and spinal kyphosis angles in an elderly Japanese population

Abstract

Lumbar kyphosis and the decreased mobility of the lumbar spine increase the risk of falls and impair both the quality of life and the ability to perform activities of daily living. However, in the elderly Japanese population, little is known about the age-related changes and sex-related differences in muscle strength, including of the upper and lower extremities and back extensors. An adequate kyphotic or lordotic angle has also not been determined. In this study, we evaluated the age-related changes in muscle strength and spinal kyphosis in 252 males and 320 females ≥50 years of age. Grip, back extensor, hip flexor, and knee extensor strength; thoracic and lumbar kyphosis; and spinal inclination in the neutral standing position were assessed, together with the range of motion of the thoracic and lumbar spine and spinal inclination. Grip strength, back extensor strength, and the strength of the hip flexors and knee extensors decreased significantly with aging, both in males (P<0.0001) and in females (P=0.0015 to P<0.0001). The lumbar but not the thoracic kyphosis angle decreased significantly with aging, only in females (P<0.0001). Spinal inclination increased significantly with aging in both males (P=0.002) and females (P<0.0001). Back extensor strength and the thoracic kyphosis angle were significant variables influencing the lumbar kyphosis angle in both sexes. Spinal inclination correlated significantly with both the lumbar kyphosis angle and hip flexor strength in males, as well as with the lumbar kyphosis angle in females.

Multivariate analysis of factors related to the absence of musculoskeletal degenerative disease in middle‐aged and older people

“…Spinal inclination and lumbar kyphosis were found to be important factors for QOL, fall, pain, shoulder range of motion and development of gastroesophageal reflux disease in our previous study, 6,10,11,13,19,24,25 and in other reports. 26,27 Spinal sagittal alignment is important for outcomes of spinal surgery, and a bent forward posture is related to poor surgical outcomes and junctional failure after spinal corrective fusion surgery. Therefore, a focus on spinal sagittal alignment in aging people is important.…”

Regulatory Role of MicroRNAs in Muscle Atrophy during Exercise Intervention

“…The body needs an effective pathway to regulate growth, regeneration and metabolism of skeletal muscle so as to make skeletal muscle at its best state [ 2 ]. Since a series of factors including neuromuscular disease, chronic disease and aging have an impact on the functions of skeletal muscle [ 3 , 4 ], it is important to define its influencing mechanism. The exploration of microRNAs (miRNAs) will play a positive role in broadening our understanding of controlling factors for skeletal muscle function, and improving the understanding and application of current therapeutic strategies in skeletal muscle diseases [ 5 ].…”

mRNA expressions of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1&alpha;, tumor necrosis factor-&alpha;, and interleukin-6 in paraspinal muscles of patients with lumbar kyphosis: a preliminary study

“… 3 – 5 In particular, sagittal spinal malalignment has a greater impact on QOL scores than coronal malalignment in adult patients with spine deformities. 6 , 7 Generally, degenerative kyphosis is related to back muscle atrophy and decreased back extensor strength, 8 , 9 the latter of which is a risk factor for falls and poor QOL. 5 , 10 On the other hand, back muscle atrophy and fatty degeneration are also observed in patients with chronic lower back pain.…”