MUSCLE STRENGTH, METABOLIC PROFILE, SARCOPENIA AND SARCOPENIC OBESITY IN OLDER CUBAN PEOPLE. PRELIMINARY RESULTS

Background and objectives: Background: Sarcopenia is the age-associated loss of skeletal muscle mass and function; and the sarcopenic obesity may be defined by a high fat to fat-free mass ratio. These conditions can be accompanied by reduced muscle strength and metabolic disorders due to a decline of both number and fibre size of the muscle. Objectives: To evaluate variations on the muscle strength and metabolic profile associated to sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity in elderly people. Methods: A sample of adults older than 60 years, not institutionalized or attending day care institutions for the elderly, was evaluated to get information on body composition, blood glucose and lipids, and muscle strength. Muscle strength was measured by dynamometry; body fat, by electrical bioimpedance; and skeletal muscle mass (SMM) and skeletal muscle index (SMI), by Baumgartner equations. Univariate and multivariate statistical analysis were used. Results: The frequency of sarcopenia was similar between men and women. Older individuals were more likely to have this condition. Body Mass Index (BMI), SMM and SMI were lower in sarcopenic subjects. Grip strength was markedly decreased in sarcopenic men, while no significant difference was found within women. Body fat was higher in sarcopenic men and not in sarcopenic women. Therefore, Sarcopenic obesity was more frequent within men. Subjects with this condition in both sexes were older, had higher BMI and body fat; and lower SMM, SMI and grip strength. The metabolic profile showed no differences between subjects with or without sarcopenia and was not associated with sarcopenic obesity either. Conclusions: Reduced muscle strength is evident in both sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity, and was more marked as the age increases. The lack of association between sarcopenia, sarcopenic obesity and metabolic disruptions must be further analysed using multivariate analysis and include treatment for metabolic diseases, physical activity and diet.