Sarcopenia: Body Composition and Gait Analysis

Abstract

BackgroundAge-induced sarcopenia negatively affects walking stability and increases the risk of falls, which is the leading cause of accidental death in the elderly.ObjectiveThis study aimed to analyze and contrast body composition and gait characteristics in those with sarcopenia in relation to healthy controls to shed some light on the prevention of falls in elderly patients with sarcopenia.Materials and MethodsIn this study, 68 community dwellers were scanned by the Hologic QDR-4500A Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The appendicular lean mass index (ALMI) results were used to distinguish the normal participants from those with sarcopenia: 24 in the sarcopenia group, and 44 into the normal group. The participants were asked to undergo gait analysis on a plantar pressure measurement system. Statistical analysis was conducted to contrast both groups' gait and butterfly parameters from their gait test, and then a gait forward dynamics method was performed to quantify the analysis for both groups.ResultsThe ALMI of the female was not related to their age (r = 0.06) while that of the male was weakly related (r = 0.17). Body mass index (BMI) from both groups was normal, although with a statistically greater BMI from the normal group compared with sarcopenia (p < 0.001). Greater values and significant differences were found in step length and stride length from the normal elderly group (p < 0.01), and so was the length of the gait line and single support line (p < 0.05). Gait forward dynamics analysis results showed no motor neural or musculoskeletal disorders in their gait performance from the sarcopenia group.ConclusionFor the elderly, age did not largely affect the ALMI, BMI, or T-score, but BMI and ALMI were strongly correlated. In this study, significant differences were found in certain gait parameters between the elderly with sarcopenia and the normal elderly, which were related to absolute muscle strength, suggesting that sarcopenia was a disease mainly caused by decreased muscle mass. In addition, when abnormities were identified in step length, stride length, length of gait line, or length of single support line, it is proposed to take a DXA scan to confirm whether the elderly suffer from sarcopenia.

Gait Analysis, Metabolic Parameters and Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Compared with Healthy Controls: A Pilot Study

“…Body weight and body composition have previously been associated with changes in gait parameters in obesity [37]. A common phenomenon in the elderly is the coexistence of increased body weight and sarcopenia [38] affecting gait abnormalities, such as stride length and gait line length [39].…”

“…Adherence to the MedDiet was assessed with the MedDiet Score questionnaire, which recorded consumption of the 11 major components (unrefined grains, fruits, vegetables, potatoes, legumes, olive oil, fish, red meat, poultry, full-fat dairy products and alcohol) in a face-to-face interview with a qualified dietitian. The MedDiet score is categorized as no adherence (0-13), inadequate adherence (14-27), satisfactory adherence (28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38)(39)(40)(41), and very good adherence (42-55) [19].…”

Mapping knowledge structure and global status of sarcopenia in geriatric hip fractures: A bibliometric and visualized study

“…With a better understanding of sarcopenia, the relationship between body composition and geriatric hip fracture was attracting increasing attention in the world ( 45 ). Soft tissue body composition was found to be related to hip fracture and sarcopenia ( 46 , 47 ). Cluster 5: physical performance.…”

Machine Learning Applications in Sarcopenia Detection and Management: A Comprehensive Survey

“…Several studies reveal specific quantitative gait changes associated with sarcopenia. Compared to healthy controls, sarcopenic individuals exhibit reduced step length, shortened stride length, slower walking velocity, shortened single limb support phase, and prolonged double support phase [ 25 , 26 , 27 ]. While cadence is often preserved, sarcopenic gait shows a shortened gait line, indicating reduced muscle mass [ 25 ].…”