[The implications of skeletal muscle mass for health promotion in community-dwelling elderly people].
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to determine whether skeletal muscle mass measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis can be associated with health conditions for elderly men and women in the community.


METHODS
This study described the characteristics of the appendicular and total skeletal muscle mass by sex and age. In addition, the relationship between muscle mass and usual walking speed, instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) and life-styles, diet and exercise of 394 elderly persons who use a community center and live in a metropolitan suburb was examined.


RESULTS
This study showed that both appendicular and total skeletal muscle mass decreases with age in both men and women, and that men have greater skeletal muscle mass than women in all age groups. Both appendicular and total skeletal muscle mass had a significant positive correlation with usual walking speed in men and women. Men with efficient IADL had greater skeletal muscle mass than those with inefficient IADL, while there was no significant difference for women. In men the skeletal muscle mass was related to efficiency in IADL and life-styles, diet and exercise.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings may also suggest that the skeletal muscle mass can reflect health conditions in community-dwelling elderly persons in Japan.
Tanimoto
Yoshimi
Y
Department of Hygiene & Public Health, Osaka Medical College.
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged / Q000502:physiology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001823:Body Composition; D017097:Electric Impedance; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology