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JFSF Vol 9, No 2, June 2024, p.151-156

doi: 10.22540/JFSF-09-151

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Short Communication

Associations Between Fat and Lean Mass Indexes and Physical Performance in Prefrail and Frail Older Women

Davi Alves de Santana1,2, Pedro Godoi Scolfaro1, Emanuele Marzetti3,4, Cláudia Regina Cavaglieri1

  1. Laboratory of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Physical Education, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
  2. Adventist University Center of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
  3. Department of Geriatrics, Orthopedics and Rheumatology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
  4. Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “Agostino Gemelli” IRCCS, Rome, Italy

Keywords: Aging, Body composition, Frailty, Functional performance, Physical function


Abstract

Age-related changes in body composition have been associated with reduced physical performance. However, the relationship of fat and lean mass indexes with physical performance in the setting of frailty is yet to be clearly established. We investigated the association between fat and lean mass indexes and physical performance in prefrail and frail older women. Fifty-one community-dwelling women 65 years and older (mean age 76 years) were classified as prefrail or frail according to a modified frailty phenotype. Body composition was estimated by dualenergy X-ray absorptiometry, while physical performance was assessed via the following tests: Berg balance scale, timed-stands, timed up-and-go test, 6-minute walk test, and the short performance physical battery. Correlation coefficients were determined to assess the association between body composition and physical performance parameters. Associations between continuous variables with a p-value <0.05 were included in a linear regression analysis. All fat mass indexes predicted a reduced performance in at least one functional test. Among the lean mass indexes, only leg lean mass adjusted by body fat mass was directly associated with better physical performance. Our findings indicate that fat mass indexes may have a greater impact on physical performance than lean mass in frail and prefrail older women.
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