Social Detachment Influenced Muscle Mass and Strength during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Japanese Community-Dwelling Older Women

Abstract

Social detachment due to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has caused a decline in physical activity, leading to sarcopenia and frailty in older adults. This study aimed to compare muscle mass, strength, and function values in older women before and after the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic (April−May 2020). Furthermore, changes in muscle measures across women who experienced different levels of impact on their social participation due to the COVID-19 pandemic were examined. Muscle mass (total, trunk, and appendicular muscle), grip strength, oral motor skills, social interactions (social network and participation), and social support were assessed in 46 Japanese community-dwelling older women (mean, 77.5 y; range 66−93 y) before and after the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Trunk muscle mass significantly decreased after the first wave of the pandemic. When comparing changed values between the enhanced/maintained and reduced group during the pandemic, significant group difference was observed in trunk muscular mass, grip strength, and oral motor skills. Intriguingly, those who enhanced social participation had a positive change of grip strength values, showing that social participation might influence muscle function during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Characteristics of Japanese Older Adults Whose Trunk Muscle Mass Decreased during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…This 2-year longitudinal study reports a decrease in trunk muscle mass in community-dwelling older Japanese women during the study period, which coincided with a period of life restraint due to the COVID-19 pandemic which was consistent with a study by Son et al that recently reported a significant decrease in the trunk muscle mass of women during COVID-19 [ 14 ]. Based on this, it can be inferred that a decrease in trunk muscle mass is a characteristic change during the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

“…However, previous studies on the COVID-19 pandemic used questionnaire-based surveys to minimize face-to-face interactions [ 5 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. Few reports used quantitative measurements, such as handgrip strength [ 14 ], and fewer comparisons were made with pre-COVID-19 data.…”

Impact of social engagement on the development of sarcopenia among community‐dwelling older adults: A Kashiwa cohort study

“…These circumstances not only make it more challenging to engage socially, but also lead to decreased physical activity or muscle loss. 29,30 The present study has several strengths. First, because we assessed varied items, we could develop a multidimensional factor hypothesis model.…”

“…However, the COVID‐19 pandemic drastically disrupted routines and social connections, and increased social isolation, particularly in older adults. These circumstances not only make it more challenging to engage socially, but also lead to decreased physical activity or muscle loss 29,30 …”

Impactos da pandemia de COVID-19 na saúde física dos idosos: uma revisão integrativa

“…A atividade física traz inúmeros benefícios para a saúde, tendo como exemplos a diminuição de doenças cardíacas, o aumento da expectativa de vida e o melhoramento das funções cognitivas (Sasaki et al, 2021). Contudo, a redução repentina dos níveis de atividade física, assim como o aumento do sedentarismo relacionados às medidas de contenção contra a disseminação do Covid-19 transparecem de forma efetiva o aumento da sarcopenia, evidenciando que a perda de massa muscular não é apenas um processo gradual, mas pode ser acelerada pela inatividade, longos períodos de repouso e internação (Son et al, 2022). No estudo de Lee e colaboradores (2021), a inatividade física ganhou força entre a segunda e a terceira onda da COVID-19, onde medidas mais rígidas de isolamento sanitário foram estipuladas pelo governo.…”