Muscle strength and gait speed rather than lean mass are better indicators for poor cognitive function in older men

Abstract

We aimed to examine muscle strength, function and mass in relation to cognition in older men. this cross-sectional data-set included 292 men aged ≥60 yr. Handgrip strength (kg) was measured by dynamometry, gait speed by 4-metre walk (m/s) and appendicular lean mass (kg) by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. cognition was assessed across four domains: psychomotor function, attention, visual learning and working memory. Composite scores for overall cognition were calculated. Bivariate analyses indicated that handgrip strength and gait speed were positively associated with cognitive function. After accounting for confounders, positive associations between individual muscle (or physical) measures and cognitive performance were sustained for handgrip strength and psychomotor function, gait speed and psychomotor function, gait speed and attention, handgrip strength and overall cognition, and gait speed and overall cognition. in multivariable models, handgrip strength and gait speed independently predicted psychomotor function and overall cognition. no associations were detected between lean mass and cognition after adjusting for confounders. thus, low muscle strength and slower gait speed, rather than low lean mass, were associated with poor cognition in older men.

A Cumulative Muscle Index and Its Parameters for Predicting Future Cognitive Decline: Longitudinal Outcomes of the ASPRA Cohort

“…Kim et al reported that sarcopenia was associated with cognitive decline only in men in a cross-sectional study [ 25 ]. Furthermore, when specific sarcopenic parameters including muscle mass and physical function (hand grip strength, gait speed) were analyzed separately, low muscle strength and gait speed rather than muscle mass could better predict cognitive impairment in two recent studies [ 26 , 27 ]. Meanwhile, only gait speed, and not hand grip strength or muscle mass, was reported to correlate with cognitive impairment [ 25 ].…”

Are Sarcopenia and Cognitive Dysfunction Comorbid after Stroke in the Context of Brain–Muscle Crosstalk?

“…Evidence emerging from observational and experimental studies has shown that human body composition and brain function are linked [ 9 , 10 , 13 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 ]. Although sarcopenia and cognitive dysfunction are often considered separate multidimensional concepts, they may have common risk factors and biological pathways.…”

“…Although sarcopenia and cognitive dysfunction are often considered separate multidimensional concepts, they may have common risk factors and biological pathways. In general, advanced age contributes to the decline of skeletal muscle health and cognitive function [ 9 , 10 ]. In older patients in hospital settings, sarcopenia and cognitive dysfunction are strongly associated [ 44 ].…”

“…Usual gait speed (shoes on) is typically determined by measuring how many seconds the participant takes to walk a distance of four metres and is recorded as the walking speed (m/s) [ 9 ].…”

“…Cognitive dysfunction and sarcopenia appear to be reported simultaneously in patients with stroke [ 8 ], indicating the likely parallel progression of comorbid sarcopenia and cognitive decline; however, the links between post-stroke sarcopenia and post-stroke cognitive dysfunction and its underlying mechanisms have rarely been investigated simultaneously. In Australia, the Geelong Osteoporosis Study reported that markers of sarcopenia (slow gait speed, poor handgrip strength, and low muscle density) were negatively associated with performance in some domains of cognitive function, including psychomotor function, visual learning, attention, and overall cognitive function in a general geriatric population [ 9 , 10 ]. These findings align with those of other studies on the links between sarcopenia and cognitive dysfunction in ageing [ 11 , 12 ].…”