title: 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.
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.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional analysis of a population-based sample.
  
  
  METHODS
  Non-institutionalized Spanish elderly participating in the EXERNET multi-centre study.
  
  
  METHODS
  2747 elderly subjects aged 65 and older.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
authors: Raquel Pedrero-Chamizo, 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, e-mail: raquel.pedrero@gmail.com, Phone: +34 91 336 4039; Fax: +34 91 5497307.
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Pedrero-Chamizo
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Gómez-Cabello
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Meléndez
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Vila-Maldonado
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Espino
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Gusi
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Villa
authors: J A
authors: JA
authors: Casajús
authors: M
authors: M
authors: González-Gross
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Ara
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001823:Body Composition; D001827:Body Height; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006262:Health; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009132:Muscles / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D055948:Sarcopenia / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology
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