Article

Decline in physical performance is highly prevalent during aging.
Identification of sensitive markers of age-related changes in physical
performance is important for early detection, development of therapeutic
strategies and insight into underlying mechanisms. We studied the association of
calendar age and familial longevity with standard clinical and instrumented
measures of physical performance in a cohort of healthy middle-aged to older
adults. METHODS: Cross-sectional analysis within the Leiden Longevity Study
consisting of offspring of nonagenarian siblings and their partners (n=300, mean
age (SD) 65.3 (6.7) years). Standard clinical measures were 25-meter walking
speed and total duration of the chair stand test (CST). Instrumented measures
were determined using a body fixed sensor. Dependence of physical performance on
calendar age and familial longevity (offspring versus partner status) was
analyzed using linear and logistic regression, respectively, adjusted for gender
and height. RESULTS: Higher calendar age was associated with slower walking speed
and longer duration of the CST (standardized beta (95% CI) -.024 (-.042; -.006)
and .035 (.014;.056), respectively). Instrumented measures showed similar effect
sizes with strongest associations for gait stability and symmetry in mediolateral
direction and for the extension and flexion phase of sit-to-stand and
stand-to-sit transfers, respectively. No differences were observed between
offspring of nonagenarian siblings and their partners. CONCLUSIONS: Standard
clinical and instrumented measures of physical performance are associated with
similar effect size to age-related changes in physical performance observable
from middle age. The potential added value of instrumented measures for
understanding underlying mechanisms requires further attention.
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Langue : ANGLAIS