For researchers

Neuromuscular function in different stages of sarcopenia.

T. Morat, K.J. Gilmore and C.L. Rice

Exp Gerontol. 2016 Apr 20;81:28-36.

This study applied the screening tool developed by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) on seniors aged over 65years and concurrently tested various laboratory-based indices of neuromuscular function.
Based on gait speed, handgrip strength and muscle mass all subjects were categorized into one of the three conceptual sarcopenia stages (pre-sarcopenia, sarcopenia, severe sarcopenia). The laboratory tests found neuromuscular differences among the 3 groups which generally supported the classification scheme and helped to illustrate some key factors that could explain differences in functional capacities.

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High Levels of Heavy Metals Increase the Prevalence of Sarcopenia in the Elderly Population

J.I. Yoo, Y.C. Ha, Y.K. Lee et al.

J Bone Metab. 2016 May;23(2):101-9.

Despite increasing concern regarding health problems as a result of environmental pollutants, no association of toxic heavy metals with sarcopenia has been demonstrated in the general population. In this article the association of heavy metals, including lead, mercury and cadmium, with sarcopenia in the Korean population was investigated.
This study demonstrates that high levels of blood lead, mercury and cadmium increase the prevalence of sarcopenia in both genders of elderly populations.

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Macronutrients Intake and Incident Frailty in Older Adults: A Prospective Cohort Study

H. Sandoval-Insausti, R.F. Pérez-Tasigchana, E. López-García, et al.

J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2016;00:1–6

This study examined the association of protein and other macronutrient intake with the risk of frailty in older adults.
Authors concluded that the intake of total protein, animal protein, and MUFAs was inversely associated with incident frailty. Promoting the intake of these nutrients might reduce frailty.

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Frailty is associated with the epigenetic clock but not with telomere length in a German cohort

L.P. Breitling, K.U. Saum, L. Perna, et al.

Clinical Epigenetics 2016;8:21

The epigenetic clock, in particular epigenetic pre-aging quantified by the so-called DNA methylation age acceleration, has recently suggested to closely correlate with a variety of disease phenotypes.
There remains a dearth of data, however, on its association with telomere length and frailty, which can be considered major correlates of age on the genomic and clinical level, respectively.
The results of the present study suggest that epigenetic age acceleration is correlated with clinically relevant aging-related phenotypes through pathways unrelated to cellular senescence as assessed by telomere length.

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Comparison of Handgrip and Leg Extension Strength in Predicting Slow Gait Speed in Older Adults

M.S. Fragala, D.E. Alley, M.D. Shardell et al.

JAGS 2016;64:144–150

This study aimed at comparing the relative predictive power of handgrip and leg extension strength in predicting slow walking.

Results suggest that handgrip strength may be an adequate measure to predict physical function whereas leg extension strength is only a slightly better predictor of slow gait speed.

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Is Trunk Posture in Walking a Better Marker than Gait Speed in Predicting Decline in Function and Subsequent Frailty?

R.A. Merchant, S. Banerji, G. Singh, E. Chew, et al.

J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2016;17(1):65-70

Older adults are known to compensate well for declining physiological reserve through environmental modification and posture adaptation. This study aimed to analyze and identify significant posture adaptation in older adults that is required to maintain gait speed in the face of increasing vulnerability.
Data of this study suggest that identifying trunk posture adaptation before the onset of decline in gait speed will help in planning interventions in the at-risk community-dwelling older adults even before gait speed declines.

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