Relationship between Frailty and Site-specific Body of Muscle Mass in Community Elderly Men

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to elucidate the relationship between frailty of elderly men and site-specific body of muscle mass.

Methods: Forty-two in community elderly men aged 65 or over participated in this study. Kihon checklist (KCL) was used to evaluate frailty. Total KCL score of 3 points and less were classified as robust group, 4 and more as pre-frail and frail persons (frailty group). Muscle thickness of eight regions of the body, as well as body height, body weight, body mass index (BMI), handgrip strength, and 5-m usual gait speed were measured.

Results: The scores for physical functions, oral functions, and cognitive functions, depression was higher in the frailty group than in the robust group. Regarding the muscle mass of the eight regions, only the muscle mass of the anterior upper arm was significantly smaller in the frailty group than in the robust group. A significantly negative correlation was observed between the total KCL score and the muscle mass of the anterior upper arm.

Conclusion: Loss of muscle mass of frail elderly men were not recognized the lower limbs or the trunk, but a specific site, that is occurred for anterior upper arm.