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Body Mass Index, Muscle Strength and Physical Performance in Older Adults from Eight Cohort Studies: The HALCyon Programme

Author

Listed:
  • Rebecca Hardy
  • Rachel Cooper
  • Avan Aihie Sayer
  • Yoav Ben-Shlomo
  • Cyrus Cooper
  • Ian J Deary
  • Panayotes Demakakos
  • John Gallacher
  • Richard M Martin
  • Geraldine McNeill
  • John M Starr
  • Andrew Steptoe
  • Holly Syddall
  • Diana Kuh
  • on behalf of the HALCyon study team

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the associations of body mass index (BMI) and grip strength with objective measures of physical performance (chair rise time, walking speed and balance) including an assessment of sex differences and non-linearity. Methods: Cross-sectional data from eight UK cohort studies (total N = 16 444) participating in the Healthy Ageing across the Life Course (HALCyon) research programme, ranging in age from 50 to 90+ years at the time of physical capability assessment, were used. Regression models were fitted within each study and meta-analysis methods used to pool regression coefficients across studies and to assess the extent of heterogeneity between studies. Results: Higher BMI was associated with poorer performance on chair rise (N = 10 773), walking speed (N = 9 761) and standing balance (N = 13 921) tests. Higher BMI was associated with stronger grip strength in men only. Stronger grip strength was associated with better performance on all tests with a tendency for the associations to be stronger in women than men; for example, walking speed was higher by 0.43 cm/s (0.14, 0.71) more per kg in women than men. Both BMI and grip strength remained independently related with performance after mutual adjustment, but there was no evidence of effect modification. Both BMI and grip strength exhibited non-linear relations with performance; those in the lowest fifth of grip strength and highest fifth of BMI having particularly poor performance. Findings were similar when waist circumference was examined in place of BMI. Conclusion: Older men and women with weak muscle strength and high BMI have considerably poorer performance than others and associations were observed even in the youngest cohort (age 53). Although causality cannot be inferred from observational cross-sectional studies, our findings suggest the likely benefit of early assessment and interventions to reduce fat mass and improve muscle strength in the prevention of future functional limitations.

Suggested Citation

  • Rebecca Hardy & Rachel Cooper & Avan Aihie Sayer & Yoav Ben-Shlomo & Cyrus Cooper & Ian J Deary & Panayotes Demakakos & John Gallacher & Richard M Martin & Geraldine McNeill & John M Starr & Andrew St, 2013. "Body Mass Index, Muscle Strength and Physical Performance in Older Adults from Eight Cohort Studies: The HALCyon Programme," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(2), pages 1-13, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0056483
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0056483
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rachel Cooper & Rebecca Hardy & Avan Aihie Sayer & Yoav Ben-Shlomo & Kate Birnie & Cyrus Cooper & Leone Craig & Ian J Deary & Panayotes Demakakos & John Gallacher & Geraldine McNeill & Richard M Marti, 2011. "Age and Gender Differences in Physical Capability Levels from Mid-Life Onwards: The Harmonisation and Meta-Analysis of Data from Eight UK Cohort Studies," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(11), pages 1-14, November.
    2. Magdalena I. Tolea & Paul T. Costa & Antonio Terracciano & Michael Griswold & Eleanor M. Simonsick & Samer S. Najjar & Angelo Scuteri & Barbara Deiana & Marco Orrù & Marco Masala & Manuela Uda & David, 2010. "Sex-Specific Correlates of Walking Speed in a Wide Age-Ranged Population," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 65(2), pages 174-184.
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    1. Sindre H. Fosstveit & Kolbjørn Lindberg & Thomas Bjørnsen & Erlend E. Sibayan & Joachim S. Fjeller & Sondre Løvold & Tommy Kolnes & Fredrik T. Vårvik & Sveinung Berntsen & Hilde Lohne-Seiler, 2023. "Associations between Power Training-Induced Changes in Body Composition and Physical Function in Older Men: A Pre-Test–Post-Test Experimental Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(22), pages 1-14, November.

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