Examining the Association Between Quadriceps Strength and Cognitive Performance in the Elderly.
Emerging evidences showed impaired muscle strength was prevalent in older adults with mild cognition impairment or dementia. However, little was known about the role of quadriceps strength in the cognition decline among older population. The objective of our study was to investigate the relation between quadriceps strength and cognitive performance. Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999-2002), a total of 1799 participants aged ≥60 years were enrolled in the study. Every subject completed a household interview, digit symbol substitution test (DSST), physical performances, and a questionnaire regarding personal health. Estimation of relationship between quadriceps strength and cognition was using multiple linear regression and quartile-based analysis with an extended-model approach for covariates adjustment. In a model adjusted for demographics, chronic diseases, health behaviors, and levels of folate and vitamin B12, the level of quadriceps strength was significantly associated with the scores of DSST. The β coefficient interpreted as change of DSST scores for each Newton increment in quadriceps strength comparing participants in the highest quartile of quadriceps strength to those in the lowest quartile was 5.003 (95% confidence interval, 2.725-7.281, P < 0.001). The trends of incremental DSST score across increasing quartiles of quadriceps strength were statistically significant (all P for trend <0.001). Higher quadriceps strength was associated with better cognitive performance.
From the Division of Family Medicine (W-LC, T-CP, Y-SS, H-FY, F-YL, L-WW, Y-WC, T-WK); Department of Family and Community Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital; and School of Medicine, National Defense Medical Center (W-LC, F-YL, L-WW, Y-WC, T-WK); Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, National Defense Medical Center (W-LC, F-YL); and Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan (T-WK).
Wei-Liang
WL
Chen
Tao-Chun
TC
Peng
Yu-Shan
YS
Sun
Hui-Fang
HF
Yang
Fang-Yih
FY
Liaw
Li-Wei
LW
Wu
Yaw-Wen
YW
Chang
Tung-Wei
TW
Kao
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D052097:Quadriceps Muscle; D012044:Regression Analysis