Lower limb muscle quality and phase angle contribute to the reduced walking speed among older adults

Abstract

Aim This cross‐sectional study aimed to determine the predictors of a walking speed <1 m/s. Factors associated with the health of muscle cells, including the phase angle analyzed using bioimpedance analysis, answers to the mini‐nutritional assessment‐short form, albumin levels, leg muscle quality and vitamin D levels, were assessed. Methods The study participants were outpatients from the Locomotor Frailty Outpatient Clinic which was established at our center in 2016 (231 women, 76.5 ± 7.6 years; 137 men, 78.0 ± 6.3 years). Participants were classified into two groups, with 1 m/s walking speed as the cutoff value. Binominal logistic regression analysis was performed with walking speed as the dependent variable, and age, leg muscle quality, mini‐nutritional assessment‐short form answers, albumin levels, vitamin D levels and the phase angle as explanatory variables. Leg muscle quality was defined as the mean value of both lower limbs' isometric knee extensor strength, divided by the mean value of both lower limbs' muscle mass through bioimpedance analysis. Results The explanatory variables associated with decreased walking speed among women were leg muscle quality (P = 0.004, odds ratio: 0.57) and phase angle (P = 0.017, odds ratio: 0.42). Men were also more likely to have leg muscle quality (P = 0.004, odds ratio: 0.43). Conclusions Leg muscle quality and the phase angle of lower extremities were independently associated with low walking speeds (<1 m/s) among older outpatients. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2022; 22: 603–609.

Role of phase angle in older adults with focus on the geriatric syndromes sarcopenia and frailty

“…In healthy old, phase angle is a predictor of muscle function such as slow gait speed [30] and in healthy older women, moderate associations were obtained between phase angle and muscle quality (strength/kg appendicular lean mass), functional capacity score (composed of various walking and rising tests) [31], gait speed [32] and with 6-meter walking test, forearm flexion and chair stand, dependent on BMI category [33]. In older patients with cancer, low phase angle predicted decreased hand grip strength, knee extension strength and reduced peak expiratory flow, as well as impaired physical function (determined by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality of life questionnaire) [34].…”

Phase Angle and Impedance Ratio as Indicators of Physical Function and Fear of Falling in Older Adult Women: Cross-Sectional Analysis

“…Few studies have examined the relationship between STS score and PhA. Previous studies have instead used the gait speed test to assess physical function [ 43 ]. While STS and gait speed tests are not synonymous, both are dynamic multijoint movements that require both muscular strength and balance.…”

Relationship between quadriceps muscle computed tomography measurement and motor function, muscle mass, and sarcopenia diagnosis

“…Finally, 472 participants (254 men and 218 women, mean age: 62.3 years, age range: 40–89 years) in whom the right knee extension muscle strength (KES) could be measured were included in the analysis. Furthermore, 367 (135 men and 232 women, mean age: 77.2 ± 7.1 years, age range: 53–96 years) out of 500 patients who visited the Integrated Healthy Aging Clinic at the National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Japan, from 2016 to 2019 were included for external validation in this study ( 18 , 19 ). Of these, patients with gait impairment due to severe knee or hip osteoarthritis, and progressive motor disease such as Parkinson’s disease were excluded because of the difficulty in accurately assessing physical function, and cases with missing data were excluded.…”