title: Changes in healthy elderly women's physical performance: a 3-year follow-up.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Inflammatory states, hypovitaminosis D and secondary hyperparathyroidism may have a role in the age-related loss of muscle mass, and physical performance in healthy old people. The aim of this study is to investigate changes in muscle mass, strength and physical performance in healthy, active elderly females over a 3-year follow-up, correlating them with any inflammatory states and PTH and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) levels.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred healthy females over 65 years of age routinely attending a twice-weekly mild fitness program were eligible for the study. Clinical history, serum parameters, body composition by DEXA, handgrip strength, knee extensor isometric/isotonic strength and functional performance measured using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) were evaluated at the baseline and after 3 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 3 years, the women had a significant decrease in weight (∆:-0.8±3.1 kg; p<0.05) and height (∆:-0.4±0,6 cm; p<0.001), while their BMI and body composition parameters did not change. Only IL-6 (∆: 0.6±2.0; p<0.01) and PTH (∆: 30.7±29.2 ng/L; p<0.001) increased significantly, while there were no changes in 25-OHD levels. There was a significant decrease in all the SPPB results and in muscle strength. ∆ PTH only correlated with the variation in 4-meter walking speed (r: 0.41; p<0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  With advancing age, physical performance declines even in healthy, active females despite a spare of muscle mass. The increase in PTH seems to have a role in this decline, that could be clarified by further investigations.
authors: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Geriatrics Division, University of Padova, via Giustiniani 2, Padua, Italy. giuseppe.sergi@unipd.it
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Sergi
authors: Silvia
authors: S
authors: Sarti
authors: Marco
authors: M
authors: Mosele
authors: Elena
authors: E
authors: Ruggiero
authors: Alessandra
authors: A
authors: Imoscopi
authors: Fabrizia
authors: F
authors: Miotto
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Bolzetta
authors: Emine Meral
authors: EM
authors: Inelmen
authors: Enzo
authors: E
authors: Manzato
authors: Alessandra
authors: A
authors: Coin
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001823:Body Composition; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000097:blood; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D009133:Muscular Atrophy / Q000503:physiopathology; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood; D016387:Women's Health
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone; D014807:Vitamin D; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D