Influence Of Segmental Body Composition On Physical Fitness In Active Older People

PURPOSE: To determine whether segmental body composition influences the performance of physical fitness tests in a group of active older adults. METHODS: A total of 234 elderly people (72.54 ± 7.60; 72.65% female) have participated in the study. Participants underwent evaluation of body composition (Tanita MC-780), anthropometric parameters (Stallometer, Seca) and physical fitness tests. For the body composition analysis, the variables in study were Fat mass, Fat free mass and Skeletal muscle mass (SMM). This bioelectrical impedance analysis model has an 8-contact electrode system, and it was designed to measure body composition in both whole body and segmental parts, including arms, legs and trunk area. Physical Fitness evaluation included: Handgrip, Chair Stand Test, Chair Sit and Reach, Back Scratch, Timed Up and Go and Six Minute Walk. The statistical analysis carried out was a Student T for independent samples for the analysis of sex. A partial correlation was performed adjusting the variables to sex and age. Significance was set at p < 0,05. RESULTS: The descriptive analysis of the results has revealed significant differences in both body composition and Physical Fitness between men and women in all the variables except BMI and the Six Minute Walk. Little but significant correlation were found on both legs and arms with Six Minute Walk and Back Scratch (r < 0,05). Also, Handgrip were found to be correlated with all segmental values of Fat Free mass (r < 0,05). CONCLUSION: All characteristics according to BIA were significantly different by sex. Compared to their female counterparts, men were taller, weighed more, had higher Fat free mass and SMM, but lower Fat mass of the appendicular parts, but not of the trunk. The body composition of the right leg, left leg and right arm show low but significant correlations with different physical fitness tests, being negative for Fat mass. - Handgrip Chair Stand Test Chair sit-and-reach Back Scratch Eight-Foot up and go Six Minute Walk (kg) (rep) (cm) (cm) (s) (m) Right leg Fat Mass, kg r = .079 r = -.206* r = .039 r = -.243** r = .121 r = -.201* Fat-Free mass, kg r = .264** r = .072 r = -.221* r = .183* r = .145 r = .029 Left leg Fat Mass, kg r = .123 r = -.188* r = .018 r = -.235** r = .151 r = -.197* Fat-Free mass, kg r = .202* r = .022 r = -.183* r = .244* r = .073 r = .039 Right arm Fat Mass, kg r = .124 r = -.114 r = .005 r = -.184 r = .169 r = -.217* Fat-Free mass, kg r = .178* r = -.135 r = -.139 r = .032 r = .091 r = .077 Left arm Fat Mass, kg r = .114 r = -.102 r = -.013 r = -.189 r = .174 r = -.217 Fat-Free mass, kg r = .171 r = -.104 r = -.163 r = .009 r = .1209 r = .055 Trunk Fat Mass, kg r = .148 r = -.133 r = -.003 r = -.020 r = .098 r = -.134 Fat-Free mass, kg r = .182* r = -.144 r = -.070 r = -.006 r = .073 r = .066 Obs. Values represent means ± sd. * sig. < 0.05, ** sig. < 0.001. Supported by IN COMMON SPORTS +: fit, food and fun for elderly! (622503-EPP-1-2020-1-PT-SPO-SCP)