Gender specific age-related changes in bone density, muscle strength and functional performance in the elderly: a-10 year prospective population-based study.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Age-related losses in bone mineral density (BMD), muscle strength, balance, and gait have been linked to an increased risk of falls, fractures and disability, but few prospective studies have compared the timing, rate and pattern of changes in each of these measures in middle-aged and older men and women. This is important so that targeted strategies can be developed to optimise specific musculoskeletal and functional performance measures in older adults. Thus, the aim of this 10-year prospective study was to: 1) characterize and compare age- and gender-specific changes in BMD, grip strength, balance and gait in adults aged 50 years and over, and 2) compare the relative rates of changes between each of these musculoskeletal and functional parameters with ageing. METHODS: Men (n?=?152) and women (n?=?206) aged 50, 60, 70 and 80 years recruited for a population-based study had forearm BMD, grip strength, balance and gait velocity re-assessed after 10-years. RESULTS: The annual loss in BMD was 0.5-0.7% greater in women compared to men aged 60 years and older (p?

SUBMITTER: Daly RM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3716823 | biostudies-other | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other