Prevalence of sarcopenia and associations of sarcopenia components with physical function and health-related quality of life in Australian older adults performing exercise training

Abstract

Background Sarcopenia can be prevented and treated with exercise, particularly resistance training. Our aim was to explore the prevalence of sarcopenia and associations of its components with self-reported function and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in older adults training at conventional or Helsinki University Research [HUR] gyms owned and operated by an aged care provider, Uniting AgeWell in Melbourne. Methods Eighty community-dwelling older adults (mean ± SD 76.5\(\pm\)6.5 years) already undergoing resistance training were assessed for muscle strength (hand grip strength and chair stands), appendicular lean mass, and physical performance (gait speed [GS], short physical performance battery [SPPB], timed up and go [TUG] and 400-metre walk [400mW]). Pearson correlations examined associations of sarcopenia components with self-reported function (via SARC-F) and HRQoL (via AQoL-4D) in which higher scores mean worse function and better quality, respectively. Results Sarcopenia prevalence ranged from 1.3–10.3% depending on the definition applied, with no significant differences between gym types. In the HUR group, GS (r=-0.593) and SPPB (r=-0.626) were negatively associated (p < 0.001) with function, while TUG (r = 0.683; p < 0.01) was positively associated with function. Similar associations were observed with the HRQoL independent living component. Equivalent associations for conventional gym participants were observed for SPPB and TUG (function) and GS and TUG (HRQoL). Additionally, 400 mW time (r = 0.537) and appendicular lean mass (r = 0.586) were positively associated with function in the conventional gym users (p < 0.01). Similar, but negative, associations of 400 mW (r=-0.553; p < 0.01) were also observed with HRQoL, suggesting better function was linked to independent living and better mental health. Hand grip strength was not associated with function or HRQoL in either group. Conclusion Sarcopenia prevalence in community-dwelling older adults participating in supervised exercise programs was low and did not differ based on gym type. Mobility-related measures, fitness and lean mass measures in conventional gym users only were associated with function and HRQoL. However, muscle strength was not associated with these outcomes.