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Higher levels of physical fitness are associated with a reduced risk of suffering sarcopenic obesity and better perceived health among the elderly. The EXERNET multi-center study

The journal of nutrition, health & aging volume 19, pages 211–217 (2015)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the associations between physical fitness levels, health related quality of life (HRQoL) and sarcopenic obesity (SO) and to analyze the usefulness of several physical fitness tests as a screening tool for detecting elderly people with an increased risk of suffering SO.

Design

Cross-sectional analysis of a population-based sample.

Setting

Non-institutionalized Spanish elderly participating in the EXERNET multi-centre study.

Participants

2747 elderly subjects aged 65 and older.

Measurements

Body weight, height and body mass index were evaluated in each subject. Body composition was measured by bioelectrical impedance. Four SO groups were created based on percentage of body fat and relative muscle mass; 1) normal group, 2) sarcopenic group, 3) obesity group and 4) SO group. Physical fitness was evaluated using 8 tests (balance, lower and upper body strength, lower and upper body flexibility, agility, walking speed and aerobic capacity). Three tertiles were created for each test based on the calculated scores. HRQoL was assessed using the EuroQol visual analogue scale.

Results

Participants with SO showed lower physical fitness levels compared with normal subjects. Better balance, agility, and aerobic capacity were associated to a lower risk of suffering SO in the fittest men (odds ratio < 0.30). In women, better balance, walking speed, and aerobic capacity were associated to a lower risk of suffering SO in the fittest women (odds ratio < 0.21) Superior perceived health was associated with better physical fitness performance.

Conclusions

Higher levels of physical fitness were associated with a reduced risk of suffering SO and better perceived health among elderly. SO elderly people have lower physical functional levels than healthy counterparts.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. ImFINE Research Group. Department of Health and Human Performance. Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences-INEF, Technical University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain

    Raquel Pedrero-Chamizo, A. Mélendez & M. González-Gross

  2. GENUD Research Group, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain

    A. Gómez-Cabello, J. A. Casajús & I. Ara

  3. Centro Universitario de la Defensa, Zaragoza, España

    A. Gómez-Cabello

  4. GENUD Toledo Research Group, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo, Spain

    S. Vila-Maldonado & I. Ara

  5. Unit of Sports Medicine, Cabildo of Gran Canaria, Gran Canaria, Spain

    L. Espino

  6. Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain

    N. Gusi

  7. Institute of Biomedicine (IBIOMED), University of León, León, Spain España

    G. Villa

  8. ImFINE Research Group. Departament of Health and Human Performance, Facultad de Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte (INEF), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, c/ Martín Fierro 7, E-28040, Madrid, Spain

    Raquel Pedrero-Chamizo

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  1. Raquel Pedrero-Chamizo
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  2. A. Gómez-Cabello
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  3. A. Mélendez
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  5. L. Espino
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  6. N. Gusi
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  7. G. Villa
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  9. M. González-Gross
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  10. I. Ara
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Correspondence to Raquel Pedrero-Chamizo.

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Pedrero-Chamizo, R., Gómez-Cabello, A., Mélendez, A. et al. Higher levels of physical fitness are associated with a reduced risk of suffering sarcopenic obesity and better perceived health among the elderly. The EXERNET multi-center study. J Nutr Health Aging 19, 211–217 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-014-0530-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-014-0530-4

Key words

  • Elderly
  • sarcopenia
  • obesity
  • physical fitness
  • HRQoL