Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Muscle strength in the Mataró aging study participants and its relationship to successful aging

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Aging Clinical and Experimental Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background and aims: Successful aging is a worldwide aim, but its related factors and instruments of measurement are currently hotly debated. To investigate the relationship between muscle strength and functional capacity, and its association with successful aging. Methods: A population-based cross-sectional study was performed in Mataró (Spain). Included in the study were 313 subjects (153 men, 160 women) aged 70 years and over. Physical and cognitive functions were assessed, as well as muscle strength, nutritional status, lifestyle factors, and associated morbidities. Results: A state of successful aging (SA), defined as optimal functional and cognitive capacities with absence of cancer, stroke, cardiovascular or pulmonary chronic diseases, was found in 20% of women and 32% of men. SA was associated with higher muscle strength in comparison with the non-SA condition. Muscle strength measurements were higher in men, and decreased with age, poor balance, decreased functional capacity, and impaired cognitive status. It was also associated with higher academic level, regular exercise, and nutritional status in both genders. Multivariate analysis showed that independent variables related to SA were: hand grip, arthrosis, deafness and unipodal balance test, but not age or gender. Conclusions: Muscle strength is positively associated with the successful aging condition, and may be one of its functional links, reflecting the integrated health status of old men and women. The systematic inclusion of the measurement of muscle strength may be helpful in clinical evaluation of the elderly.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Fries JF. Aging, natural death, and the compression of morbidity. N Engl J Med 1980; 303: 130–5.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Kinsella K, Velkoff VA. Life expectancy and changing mortality. Aging Clin Exp Res 2002; 14: 322–32.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Saltman RB, Dubois HF, Chawla M. The impact of aging on long-term care in Europe and some potential policy responses. Int J Heath Serv 2006; 36: 719–46.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Kelley E. Integrating palliative care into national policies. J Pain Symptom Manage 2007; 33: 514–20.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Gray LC, Broe GA, Duckett SJ, Gibson DM, Travers C, Mc Donnel G. Developing a policy simulator at the acute-aged care interface. Aus Health Rev 2006; 30: 450–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Hofman A, Grobbee DE, de Jong PT, van den Ouweland FA. Determinants of disease and disability in the elderly: the Rotterdam Elderly Study. Eur J Epidemiol 1991; 7: 403–22.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Dayhoff NE, Suhrheinrich J, Wigglesworth J, Topp R, Moore S. Balance and muscle strength as predictors of frailty among older adults. J Gerontol Nurs 1998; 24: 18–27 (quiz 54-5).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Trappe S, Williamson D, Godard M. Maintenance of whole muscle strength and size following resistance training in older men. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2002; 57: B138–43.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Rejeski WJ, Mihalko SL. Physical activity and quality of life in older adults. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2001; 56: 23–35.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Cabré M, Serra-Prat M. Determinants of admissions to nursing homes in elderly. Rev Esp Ger Gerontol 2004; 39: 367–70.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Morley JE, Perry HM 3rd, Miller DK. Editorial: Something about frailty. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2002; 57: M698–704.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Rowe JW, Kahn RL. Human aging: usual and successful aging. Science 1987; 237: 143–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Hsieh CY, Phillips RB. Reliability of manual muscle testing with a computerized dynamometer. J Manipul Physiol Ther 1990; 13: 72–82.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Hamilton A, Balnave R, Adams R. Grip strength testing reliability. J Hand Ther 1994; 7: 163–70.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Mahoney FL, Barthel DA. Functional evaluation: the Barthel Index. MD State Med J 1965; 14: 61–5.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Guralnik JM, Simonsick EM, Ferrucci L, et al. A short physical performance battery assessing lower extremity function: association with self-reported disability and prediction of mortality and nursing home admission. J Gerontol 1994; 49: M85–94.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Guralnik JM, Ferrucci L, Simonski EM, Salive ME, Wallace RB. Lower- extremity function in persons over the age of 70 years as a predictor of subsequent disability N Engl J Med 1995; 332: 556–61.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Rubenstein LZ, Harker JO, Salvà A, Guigoz Y, Vellas B. Screening for undernutrition in geriatric practice. Developing the Short-Form Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA-SF). J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2001; 56: M366–72.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Folstein MF, Folstein SE, McHugh PRT. Mini Mental State: a practical method for grading the cognitive state of patients for the clinician. J Psychol Res 1975; 12: 189–98.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Hoyl MT, Alessi CA, Harker JO, et al. Development and testing of a five-item version of the Geriatric Depression Scale. J Am Geriatr Soc 1999; 47: 873–8.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Newman AB, Arnold AM, Naydeck BL, et al. “Successful aging”: effect of subclinical cardiovascular disease. Arch Intern Med 2003; 163: 2315–22.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Torres S. A preliminary empirical test of a culturally-relevant theoretical framework for the study of successful aging. J Cross Cult Gerontol 2003; 18: 79–100.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Berkman LF, Seeman TE, Albert M, et al. High, usual and impaired functioning in community-dwelling older men and women: Findings from the McArthur Foundation Network on successful aging. J Clin Epidemiol 1993; 46: 1129–40.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Li C, Wu W, Jin H, et al. Successful aging in China: definition, distribution and related factors. Int Psychogeriatr 2006; 18: 551–63.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Roos NP, Havens B. Predictors of successful aging: A twelve-year study of Manitoba elderly. Am J Pub Health 1991; 81: 63–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Verbrugge LM, Wingard DL. Sex differentials in health and mortality. Women Health 1987; 12: 103–45.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Oman D, Reed D, Ferrara A. Do elderly women have more physical disability than men do? Am J Epidemiol 1999; 150: 834–42.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Crimmins EM, Kim JK, Hagedorn A. Life with and without disease: women experience more of both. J Women Aging 2002; 14: 47–59.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Murtagh KN, Hubert HB. Gender differences in physical disability among an elderly cohort. Am J Pub Health 2004; 94: 1406–11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Hsu HC. Gender disparity of successful aging in Taiwan. Women Health 2005; 42: 1–21.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Crimmins EM, Hayward MD, Saito Y. Differentials in active life expectancy in the older population of the United States. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 1996; 51: S111–20.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Jeune B, Skytthe A, Cournil A, et al. Handgrip strength among nonagenarians in three European regions. J Gerontol A Biol Med Sci 2006; 61A: 707–12.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Carmeli E, Reznick AZ, Coleman R, Carmeli V. Muscle strength and mass of lower extremities in relation to functional abilities in elderly adults. Gerontology 2000; 46: 249–7.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Borst SE. Interventions for sarcopenia and muscle weakness in older people. Age Aging 2004; 33: 548–55.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Rantanen T, Sakari-Rantala R, Heikkinen E. Muscle strength before and mortality after a bone fracture in older people. Scand J Med Sci Sports 2002; 12: 296–300.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Deley G, Kervio G, Van Hoecke J, Verges B, Grassi B, Casillas JM. Effects of one-year exercise training program in adults over 70 years old: a study with a control group. Aging Clin Exp Res 2007; 19: 310–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Dorner T, Kranz A, Zetti-Wiedner K, Ludwig C, Rieder A, Gisinger C. The effect of structured strength and balance training on cognitive function in frail, cognitive impaired elderly in long-term care. Aging Clin Exp Res 2007; 19: 400–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Gill TM, Baker DI, Gottschalk M, Peduzzi PN, Alore H, Byers A. A program to prevent functional decline in physically frail, elderly persons who live at home. N Engl J Med 2002; 347: 1068–74.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Proctor DN, Fauth EB, Hoffman L, et al. Longitudinal changes in physical functional performance among oldest old: insight from a study in Swedish twins. Aging Clin Exp Res 2006; 18: 517–30.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Bohannon RW, Shaubert KL. Test-retest relialability of gripstrenth measures obtained over a 12-week interval from community-dweling elders. J Hand Ther 2005; 18: 426–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Shaubert KL, Bohannon RW. Reliability and validity of three strength measures obtained from community-dwelling elderly persons. J Strength Cond Res 2005; 19: 717–20.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Unitat de Recerca, Consorci Sanitari del Maresme, Mataró, Barcelona, Spain

    Manuel Puig-Domingo MD, PhD & Mateu Serra-Prat

  2. Servei d’Endocrinologia, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Villarroel 170, Barcelona, 08036, Spain

    Manuel Puig-Domingo MD, PhD

  3. ABS Cirera-Molins, Consorci Sanitari del Maresme, Mataró, Barcelona, Spain

    María J. Merino

  4. ABS Argentona, Consorci Sanitari del Maresme, Argentona, Barcelona, Spain

    Montserrat Pubill, Emili Burdoy & Mònica Papiol

Authors
  1. Manuel Puig-Domingo MD, PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mateu Serra-Prat
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. María J. Merino
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Montserrat Pubill
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Emili Burdoy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Mònica Papiol
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Consortia

Mataró Aging Study Group

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Manuel Puig-Domingo MD, PhD.

Additional information

For the list of members, see Appendix.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Puig-Domingo, M., Serra-Prat, M., Merino, M.J. et al. Muscle strength in the Mataró aging study participants and its relationship to successful aging. Aging Clin Exp Res 20, 439–446 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03325150

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03325150

Key words

Search

Navigation