The Copenhagen Sarcopenia Study: lean mass, strength, power, and physical function in a Danish cohort aged 20–93 years

Abstract

BackgroundDespite no international consensus on the diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia, low lean mass, muscle strength, and physical function are important risk factors for disability, frailty, and mortality in older individuals, as well as in a wide range of patients with muscle loss. Here, we provide a population‐based reference material of total and regional lean body mass, muscle strength/power parameters, and physical function in a healthy cohort of Danish men and women across the lifespan.MethodsVolunteers aged 20–93 years from the Copenhagen City Heart Study were invited to establish a Danish reference material (Copenhagen Sarcopenia Study) on lean mass characteristics [appendicular lean mass (ALM), iDXA, GE Lunar], muscle function [handgrip strength (HGS), Jamar dynamometer and leg extension power (LEP), Nottingham Power Rig], and physical function [30 s sit‐to‐stand test (STS), 10‐m maximal and habitual gait speed (GS)].ResultsA total of 1305 participants [729 women (age: 56.4 ± 18.9 years, height: 1.66 ± 0.01 m, body mass index: 24.6 ± 4.3 kg/m2 and 576 men, age: 57.0 ± 17.5 years, height: 1.80 ± 0.07 m, body mass index: 26.0 ± 3.9 kg/m2] completed all measurements and were included in the present analysis. Lean mass characteristics (TLM, ALM, and ALM/h2) decreased with increasing age in both men and women (P < 0.001). Men demonstrated larger absolute and relative total ALM and higher HGS and LEP compared with women at all age intervals (P < 0.001). HGS and LEP decreased progressively with age in both men and women (P < 0.01); 30 s STS performance, habitual GS, and maximal GS decreased at an accellerated rate of decline with increasing age in both men and women (P < 0.001). Habitual GS was reduced in men and women aged ≥70 years, while maximal GS was reduced from the age of ≥60 years compared with young adults (P < 0.001). Regardless of sex, 30 s STS was reduced from the age of ≥50 years compared with the young reference group (P < 0.001)ConclusionsWhile the power‐based measurements (LEP and 30 s STS) started to decline already at age +50 years, less power‐based parameters (GS and HGS) and lean mass characteristics (TLM, ALM, and ALM/h2) remained unaltered until after the age of +70 years. Notably, the cut‐off thresholds derived in the present study differed from earlier reference data, which underlines the importance of obtaining updated and local reference materials.

Age- and sex-specific effects in paravertebral surface electromyographic back extensor muscle fatigue in chronic low back pain

“…The rate of MF fatigue would not be affected in a major way even if an awaited decline in mechanic output from muscle strength and power measurements (due to axonal and glycolytic muscle fiber loss) was well compensated (McKinnon et al 2015). It is worth noting that early declines in muscle power function seem more greatly associated with limitations in activities and mobility than muscle strength (Reid and Fielding 2012;Suetta et al 2019). Thus, the very early detection of individuals with or without cLBP who are in their 50s or 60s and who would be classified to be at an increased risk for sarcopenia (in their later age) could allow initiation of early interventions in these individuals; this would reduce the health burden of sarcopenia (Calvani et al 2017;Ciolac and Rodrigues-da-Silva 2016).…”

Relation between leg extension power and 30-s sit-to-stand muscle power in older adults: validation and translation to functional performance

“…A total of 628 older subjects (346 women and 282 men) participated in this investigation (Table 3). The sample was composed of older people (≥ 60 years old) participating in the Copenhagen Sarcopenia Study 46 , a population-based cross-sectional study that included men and women aged 20-93 years living in the Copenhagen metropolitan area (Denmark). Exclusion criteria included acute medical illness, surgery within the last three months, ongoing medication known to affect body composition and/or reporting any history of compromised ambulation or prolonged immobilization.…”

Differences in sarcopenia prevalence between upper-body and lower-body based EWGSOP2 muscle strength criteria: the Tromsø study 2015–2016

“…Several studies have shown that regular resistance exercise effectively prevents sarcopenia in older adults, effects that may be further enhanced by simultaneously increasing protein intake [ 6 – 8 ]. However, clinicians rely on adequate disease-defining thresholds and guidelines to direct effective treatments, and implementation of the sarcopenia diagnose is currently hindered by a lack of international consensus over a common operational definition [ 9 ].…”