title: Antioxidants and physical performance in elderly persons: the Invecchiare in Chianti (InCHIANTI) study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Muscle strength and physical performance in old age might be related to the oxidative damage caused by free radicals.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective was to assess the correlation of plasma concentrations and daily dietary intakes of antioxidants with skeletal muscle strength and physical performance in elderly persons.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study is part of the Invecchiare in Chianti (InCHIANTI) study, which was conducted in 986 Italians aged > or = 65 y. Physical performance was assessed on the basis of walking speed, ability to rise from a chair, and standing balance. Knee extension strength was assessed with a hand-held dynamometer. The European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) questionnaire was used to evaluate the daily dietary intakes of vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, and retinol. Plasma alpha- and gamma-tocopherol concentrations were measured. Adjusted linear regression analyses were used to calculate regression coefficients per SD increase in plasma concentrations and daily dietary intakes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In adjusted analyses, plasma alpha-tocopherol was significantly correlated with knee extension (beta = 0.566, P = 0.003) and the summary physical performance score (beta = 0.044, P = 0.008). Plasma gamma-tocopherol was associated only with knee extension strength (beta = 0.327, P = 0.04). Of the daily dietary intake measures, vitamin C and beta-carotene were significantly correlated with knee extension strength, and vitamin C was significantly associated with physical performance (beta = 0.029, P = 0.04).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Plasma antioxidant concentrations correlate positively with physical performance and strength. Higher dietary intakes of most antioxidants, especially vitamin C, appear to be associated with higher skeletal muscular strength in elderly persons.
authors.affiliation: Sticht Center on Aging, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA. mcesari@wfubmc.edu
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cesari
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pahor
authors.forename: Benedetta
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bartali
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cherubini
authors.forename: Brenda W J H
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Penninx
authors.forename: G Rhys
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Hal
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Atkinson
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Jack M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Guralnik
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ferrucci
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D014815:Vitamins