A recent study, led by Associate Professor Yoshifumi Tamura from Juntendo University, has found a correlation between physical activity in adolescence and a lower risk of developing sarcopenia.
It is a muscle-weakening condition commonly seen in older adults, especially among Asians with relatively low body mass index (BMI).
Sarcopenia significantly impacts an individual’s quality of life. Therefore, preventative measures are essential.
“Preventing sarcopenia is an important strategy for preventing disability and the need for long-term care in older age.
By establishing the association, we can move one step closer to reducing risk factors of sarcopenia in older Japanese adults,” says Prof. Tamura.
The Study’s Methodology and Findings
The team assessed the exercise habits of 1,607 Japanese adults aged 65-84. Participants underwent a complete health examination, including measurements of skeletal muscle index, handgrip strength, and gait speed.
Based on their exercise habits during adolescence and older age, they were divided into four groups: no exercise in either period, exercise only in adolescence, exercise only in older age, and exercise in both periods.
The odds ratios (ORs) for the prevalence of sarcopenia in each group were calculated using multivariate-adjusted logistic regression models.
The study found that 6.6% of the men and 1.7% of the women had sarcopenia.
In men, the odds for sarcopenia, low muscle mass, and low muscle performance were significantly lower in the group that exercised during adolescence and older age.
In contrast, in women, the odds for low muscle performance were significantly lower in those who exercised during both phases.
Implications of the Study
The findings suggest that men who maintained an exercise routine from their adolescent years into older age had a lower risk of developing sarcopenia and better muscle mass and performance.
Women who exercised during the same periods showed a reduced risk of poor muscle performance.
“We would like to emphasize that exercising not only during old age but also during adolescence, i.e., junior and high school, may influence the maintenance of skeletal muscle function in old age,” explains Prof. Tamura.
While the rate of exercise implementation is highest during junior high school in Japan, it rapidly decreases with age.
The study highlights the need to encourage exercise habits during adolescence to prevent several problems in later life.
By maintaining these habits, older adults could potentially improve their quality of life through better maintenance of skeletal muscle function.
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The study was published in the Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia, and Muscle.
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