DYNAMIC POSTURAL BALANCE IS MEDIATED BY ANTHROPOMETRY AND BODY COMPOSITION IN OLDER WOMEN

Associations between Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Timed Up and Go Test for Elderly Participants in Public Physical Activity Programs

Variables such as body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist/height ratio (WHtR) are used to assess cardiovascular risks associated with abdominal obesity. The Timed Up and Go (TTUG) test assesses mobility and the risk of falls, especially in the elderly and individuals with physical limitations. The objective was to correlate anthropometric indicators of cardiovascular risk (BMI, WC, WHtR) with performance on the TTUG test in elderly people who practice physical activity.

METHODS

Observational, cross-sectional study, CAAE: 27116319.1.0000.8044. Active elderly participants in a public physical exercise program "Project 60 Up", promoted by the Municipal Secretariat for the Elderly of the City of Niterói, RJ, Brazil, were evaluated. Elderly people of both sexes, with independent locomotion and preserved cognitive status, were included and those with visual, hearing, severe mobility difficulties or neurological sequelae and imbalances were excluded. Anthropometric data were collected: BMI, WC, WHtR, and the TTUG test was performed.

RESULTS

In the sample composed of 55 elderly people of both sexes, with an average age of 68 years, the means of the variables were: body weight (67.8 ± 12.7 kg), height (157.2 ± 8.4 cm), TTUG (10.3 ± 2 s), WC (93.3 ± 10.9 cm), WHtR (0.59), and BMI (27.4 ± 4.4). The correlations were between TTUG and age (r = -0.24, p = 0.69), TTUG and BMI (r = 0.111, p = 0.426), and WC and WHtR (r = 0.885, p < 0.000). Weak correlations were observed between TTUG and BMI and WC and WHtR, indicating that factors other than BMI and abdominal fat accumulation may have a greater influence on performance on the TTUG test. In this specific context of elderly people participating in a physical activity program, the results found may have been shaped by the very nature of the interventions carried out in the program, with factors such as muscular strength, flexibility and balance preserved and acquired through the practice of regular physical exercise. Despite the benefits of physical activity, managing weight and abdominal fat remains challenging for elderly individuals with high anthropometric measurements.

CONCLUSIONS

Although many elderly people have anthropometric measurements above average levels, the results indicate that no negative influence on their performance on the TTUG was observed. However, the limitation of the sample size and the underrepresentation of elderly people ≥ 80 years and of men highlight the need for future studies with larger and more balanced samples to confirm these results.

Muscle mass and chronic dizziness: a cross-sectional study of a Korean population

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Weight gain is associated with imbalance in older people. In contrast, overweightness or mild obesity is less common in patients with chronic dizziness. This paradox may be, at least in part, related to differences in the body composition indices adopted in the previous studies. This study aimed to determine any association between the predicted body composition and chronic dizziness or imbalance of unknown causes.

METHODS

We measured the lean body mass, body fat mass, and appendicular skeletal mass in 9243 people who participated in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2019-2021. Sarcopenia was defined according to the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia's guidelines. Obesity was defined as a body fat percentage of ≥ 25% for men and ≥ 35% for women.

RESULTS

The participants with chronic dizziness had a lower body mass index than those without (p = 0.001). Furthermore, sarcopenia was more common in those with chronic dizziness. In contrast, the degree of obesity was comparable in both groups. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that sarcopenia was associated with a higher risk of chronic dizziness (odds ratio = 1.6, 95% confidence interval: 1.1-2.5; p = 0.026).

DISCUSSION

Given the association of sarcopenia with chronic dizziness or imbalance, muscle mass may play a role in maintaining balance and stability. Physical exercise could be recommended to increase muscle mass in patients with chronic dizziness/imbalance and sarcopenia. Additional research is required to establish a causal relationship between chronic dizziness and sarcopenia.

Relation of Physical Activity Level to Postural Balance in Obese and Overweight Spanish Adult Males: A Cross-Sectional Study

The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of physical activity level on postural control in obese and overweight Spanish adult males. Forty-three males aged between 25 and 60 years old were included. Anthropometric, body composition, and physical activity variables were assessed, and postural control was evaluated using the Sensory Organization Test. No correlation was found between the level of physical activity and postural control, assessed by the Sensory Organization Test within the whole sample. However, within the group with a higher total fat mass percentage, non-sedentary individuals presented improved scores on the somatosensory organization test when compared to sedentary individuals (96.9 ± 1.8 vs. 95.4 ± 1.2; p < 0.05) and poorer scores on the composite equilibrium score (73.4 ± 7.2 vs. 79.2 ± 6.9; p < 0.05). The altered integration of somatosensory inputs most likely affects the tuning, sequencing, and execution of balance strategies in sedentary men with a high total fat mass percentage.