title: Associations of physical exercise as a lifestyle habit with lean and fat body mass and handgrip strength and age in Asian men.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We evaluated how the intensity of physical exercise as a lifestyle habit is associated with age, body composition and handgrip strength.
  
  
  METHODS
  Total body composition was analyzed using DEXA. Exercise scores were derived from an administered questionnaire and the scoring was calculated using the Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET). Handgrip strength was measured using a dynamometer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Age, independent of exercise intensity, was associated with declining lean mass, and handgrip strength and with increasing total body fat. A regular physical exercise regime of intensity greater than 1230 MET-min/week was associated with higher total lean mass and lean mass in the limbs, and handgrip strength and lower fat mass in the limbs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We have shown that age was associated with lower lean mass especially in the limbs and handgrip strength and higher total fat mass. Regular physical exercise as a lifestyle habit of any type and of sufficient intensity could help improve muscle strength in the limbs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Education, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University , Bentley, Western Australia , Australia.
authors.forename: Victor H H
authors.initials: VH
authors.lastname: Goh
authors.forename: William G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Hart
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000502:physiology; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D044466:Asian People; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
keywords: Aging men; Asian men; exercise; grip strength; lean muscle mass