Can The Muscle Quality Index Be An Indicator Of The Functional Capacity Of Older People?

A very high percentage of Europe's older adults’ population is affected by sarcopenia, a progressive and debilitating musculoskeletal disease. Aging implies a deterioration in physical function and loss of physiological resilience, however, this positioning is changing, as there is evidence indicating that the quality of skeletal muscle is a very important factor in slowing down the functional loss. We understand muscle quality as the ability of the tissue to perform its various functions, including contraction, metabolism, and electrical conduction. PURPOSE: Determine the relationship between musculoskeletal quality and functional capacity in active older adults. METHODS: 234 elderly people (72.54 ± 7.60; 72.65% female) have participated in the study, belonging to the IN COMMON SPORT+ project, financed by the European Commission (2021-2013). All participants underwent an evaluation of body composition (Tanita MC-780), anthropometric parameters (Stallometer, Seca) and fitness tests to evaluate: 1. muscle strength (Handgrip, Chair stand test) and 2. functional capacity (Eight-Foot up & go). Muscle quality was evaluated in the upper body, lower body and in the total body through the equation: Muscle Quality Index (MQI) = Muscle Strength/Mass value of the evaluated segment. A statistical, descriptive and correlational analysis was carried out. Significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: The descriptive analysis of the results has revealed the existence of significant differences in the indicators of body composition and strength levels between men and women, while the indicators of muscle quality have not reflected any difference between older men and women. The global muscle quality index is the one that has the greatest correlation with the functional capacity test (Eight-Foot up & go; r = -.407). CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the quality of skeletal muscle seems to be a good indicator of the functional capacity of active older adults. IN COMMON SPORTS +: fit, food and fun for elderly! (622503-EPP-1-2020-1-PT-SPO-SCP)