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Age-Related Functional Decline: Biological Mechanisms and Impacts of Lifestyle Behaviors
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Age-Related Functional Decline: Biological Mechanisms and Impacts of Lifestyle Behaviors

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Health Behavior, Chronic Disease and Health Promotion".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 June 2021) | Viewed by 22608

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Andreas Nilsson

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Health Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
Interests: physical activity; dietary patterns; aging; body composition; metabolic health; inflammation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Fawzi Kadi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Health Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
Interests: low-grade systemic inflammation; physical activity; dietary patterns; body composition
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

During the aging process, a gradual decline in physical and cognitive function leads to higher risk of illness and increased likelihood of need for support to remain independent. The expected doubling of the world’s population aged over 60 years by the year 2050 calls for research efforts to understand the biological mechanisms underpinning age-related chronic diseases and strategic actions in order to promote health and quality of life for older people. In this respect, particular attention should be given to sex-specific trajectories of age-related deteriorations in health outcomes. Indeed, women’s higher susceptibility to developing medical conditions due to detrimental changes in the musculoskeletal system at old age compared to men is likely linked to the strong gender profile in frailty, being more prevalent in women than in men. Frailty, a medical condition characterized by diminished strength, endurance, and reduced physiological function, has also been associated with a greater risk of adverse outcomes in women. A proposed aggravating mechanism is the occurrence of low-grade systemic inflammation accompanied by a shift in body composition towards accumulation of ectopic fat. Therefore, increased understanding of how healthier lifestyle behaviors, including physical activity and healthy dietary patterns, can increase health span during aging is warranted.

This Special Issue calls for original contributions, including observational and experimental designs, exploring (1) mechanisms underlying age-related changes in body composition and declines in physiological systems contributing to syndromes characterized by loss of bone as well as muscle mass, strength, and endurance; and (2) impacts of physical activity and/or dietary patterns on age-related health outcomes.

Dr. Andreas Nilsson
Prof. Fawzi Kadi
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • physical activity
  • dietary patterns
  • aging
  • frailty
  • sarcopenia
  • body composition
  • inflammation

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 1326 KiB  
Article
Muscle Performance Changes with Age in Active Women
by Ryan M. Miller, Eduardo D. S. Freitas, Aaron D. Heishman, Keldon M. Peak, Samuel R. Buchanan, J. Mikhail Kellawan, Hugo M. Pereira, Debra A. Bemben and Michael G. Bemben
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(9), 4477; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18094477 - 23 Apr 2021
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2863
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine age-related differences in muscle performance in women divided into young (YW, 20–39 years, n = 29) middle-aged (MAW, 40–59 years, n = 33), and older (OW, ≥60 years, n = 40) age groups. Methods: Hand [...] Read more.
The purpose of this study was to examine age-related differences in muscle performance in women divided into young (YW, 20–39 years, n = 29) middle-aged (MAW, 40–59 years, n = 33), and older (OW, ≥60 years, n = 40) age groups. Methods: Hand grip strength, vertical jump performance, and knee extensor (KE) strength (0 deg/s, 60 deg/s, and 240 deg/s), speed of movement (SoM; at 1 Nm, 20%, 40%, and 60% isometric strength), and endurance (30-repetition test at 60 degs/s and 240 deg/s) were assessed. Computed tomography-acquired muscle cross-sectional area (mCSA) was measured and included to determine specific strength (KE strength/mCSA). Results: Hand grip strength was similar across groups, while jump performance declined with age (YW and MAW > OW, p < 0.001). KE strength declined significantly with age (all conditions p < 0.01), while specific strength was similar across groups. SoM was significantly higher for YW and MAW compared to OW (both p < 0.01). An age × velocity interaction revealed YW KE endurance was similar between conditions, whereas MAW and OW displayed significantly better endurance during the 60 deg/s condition. OW displayed impaired KE endurance at 240 deg/s (vs. YW and MAW, p < 0.01) but improved at 60 deg/s (vs. YW, p < 0.01). Dynamic torque decline increased with age (YW < OW, p = 0.03) and was associated with intramuscular adipose tissue (r = 0.21, p = 0.04). Conclusions: Performance declines were most evident among OW, but few performance deficits had emerged in MAW. Interestingly, strength declines disappeared after normalizing to mCSA and endurance appears to be velocity-dependent. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Age-Related Functional Decline: Biological Mechanisms and Impacts of Lifestyle Behaviors)
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8 pages, 640 KiB  
Article
Engagement in Muscle-Strengthening Activities Lowers Sarcopenia Risk in Older Adults Already Adhering to the Aerobic Physical Activity Guidelines
by Jort Veen, Diego Montiel-Rojas, Andreas Nilsson and Fawzi Kadi
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(3), 989; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18030989 - 22 Jan 2021
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 4407
Abstract
Sarcopenia in older adults is associated with a higher risk of falls, disability, loss of independence, and mortality. Current physical activity (PA) guidelines recommend engagement in muscle-strengthening activities (MSA) in addition to aerobic moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). However, little is known about the [...] Read more.
Sarcopenia in older adults is associated with a higher risk of falls, disability, loss of independence, and mortality. Current physical activity (PA) guidelines recommend engagement in muscle-strengthening activities (MSA) in addition to aerobic moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). However, little is known about the impact of MSA in addition to adherence to the MVPA recommendation in the guidelines. The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to determine whether or not engagement in MSA is linked to sarcopenia risk in older adults who meet the PA guidelines of 150 min of MVPA per week. A total of 193 community-dwelling older men and women (65–70 years) were included in the study. A continuous sex-specific clustered sarcopenia risk score (SRS) was created based on muscle mass assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis, handgrip strength, and five times sit-to-stand (5STS) time, assessed using standardized procedures. Adherence to PA guidelines was assessed using the Actigraph GT3x accelerometer and the EPAQ2 questionnaire. Guideline adherence to MSA twice a week was related to a significantly (p < 0.05) lower SRS compared to those who did not. This finding was evident after adjustment for adherence to the protein intake guideline and abdominal obesity. Similar impacts were observed for muscle mass and 5-STS but not for handgrip strength. In conclusion, guideline adherence to MSA is related to lower sarcopenia risk in older adults who already accumulate 150 weekly minutes of MVPA, which reinforces the promotion of the MSA guideline, alongside the MVPA guideline, to fight against sarcopenia progression in ageing populations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Age-Related Functional Decline: Biological Mechanisms and Impacts of Lifestyle Behaviors)
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16 pages, 957 KiB  
Article
Effects of Individualized Aerobic Exercise Training on Physical Activity and Health-Related Physical Fitness among Middle-Aged and Older Adults with Multimorbidity: A Randomized Controlled Trial
by Yi-Pang Lo, Shang-Lin Chiang, Chia-Huei Lin, Hung-Chang Liu and Li-Chi Chiang
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(1), 101; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18010101 - 25 Dec 2020
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 5935
Abstract
The presence of multimorbidity in middle-aged and older adults, which reduces their physical activity and quality of life, is a global health challenge. Exercise is one of the most important health behaviors that individuals can engage in. Previous studies have revealed that aerobic [...] Read more.
The presence of multimorbidity in middle-aged and older adults, which reduces their physical activity and quality of life, is a global health challenge. Exercise is one of the most important health behaviors that individuals can engage in. Previous studies have revealed that aerobic exercise training is beneficial for healthy middle-aged and older adults and those with various chronic diseases, but few studies have designed individualized aerobic exercise training for individuals with multimorbidity. Although individuals with multimorbidity are considerably less adherent to physical activity interventions, telephone-based motivational interviewing may help in strengthening motivation and promoting behavioral change for increasing physical activity and health-related physical fitness. This study aimed to examine whether a 12-week individualized aerobic exercise training in a rehabilitation center combined with telephone-based motivational interviewing is effective in promoting physical activity and health-related physical fitness among middle-aged and older adults with multimorbidity. A randomized controlled trial was conducted. Forty-three participants (aged > 40) were recruited and randomly assigned to the intervention group, comparison group, or control group. The participants’ physical activity and health-related physical fitness were assessed at baseline and at 12 weeks. The results indicated that after individualized aerobic exercise training combined with telephone-based motivational interviewing, the participants reported increased total physical activity (Fin = 481.3, p = 0.011), vigorous-intensity physical activity (Fin= 298.9, p = 0.007), dominant and nondominant hand grip (kg) (Fin = 1.96, p = 0.019; Fin = 2.19, p = 0.027, respectively), FEV1/FVC (Fin = 0.045, p = 0.043), VO2 max (ml/kg/min) (Fin = 5.30, p = 0.001), VO2 max predicted (%) (Fin = 21.6, p = 0.001), work (watts) (Fin = 22.5, p = 0.001), and anaerobic threshold (L/min) (Fin = 0.165, p = 0.011). Twelve weeks of individualized aerobic exercise training in the rehabilitation center combined with telephone-based motivational interviewing can increase the total physical activity, vigorous physical activity, and cardiorespiratory fitness of middle-aged and older adults with multimorbidity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Age-Related Functional Decline: Biological Mechanisms and Impacts of Lifestyle Behaviors)
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13 pages, 326 KiB  
Article
Prevalence and Potential Predictors of Frailty among Community-Dwelling Older Persons in Northern Thailand: A Cross-Sectional Study
by Payom Thinuan, Penprapa Siviroj, Peerasak Lerttrakarnnon and Thaworn Lorga
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(11), 4077; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17114077 - 8 Jun 2020
Cited by 27 | Viewed by 3895
Abstract
This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of frailty among Thai older persons. A cross-sectional study was conducted with a representative sample of 1806 older persons aged 60 years or older. Frailty was assessed by Fried’s frailty phenotypes, which consists [...] Read more.
This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of frailty among Thai older persons. A cross-sectional study was conducted with a representative sample of 1806 older persons aged 60 years or older. Frailty was assessed by Fried’s frailty phenotypes, which consists of five criteria, namely, unintended weight loss, exhaustion, slow walking, weak handgrip and decreased physical activity. Older people who met 3 in 5, 1–2 in 5, and none of the criteria were considered frail, pre-frail and non-frail respectively. The prevalence was calculated and multinomial logistic regression was performed. Prevalence rates of frailty, pre-frailty and non-frailty were 13.9% (95% CI 9.9 to 18.8), 50.9% (95% CI 47.5 to 54.1) and 35.1% (95% CI 31.5 to 39.9), respectively. Increasing age, lower education, having no spouse, poorer health perception, increasing number of comorbidities, osteoarthritis and smaller mid-arm circumference increased the risk of frailty (p < 0.001). The prevalence of geriatric frailty syndrome in this study was much higher than that of developed countries but was lower than that of less developed countries. Factors associated with frailty reflect common characteristics of disadvantaged older persons in Thailand. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Age-Related Functional Decline: Biological Mechanisms and Impacts of Lifestyle Behaviors)
6 pages, 297 KiB  
Article
More Time Spent in Sedentary Behaviors is Associated with Higher Plantar Pressures in Older Women
by Mario Kasović, Lovro Štefan and Martin Zvonař
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(6), 2089; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17062089 - 21 Mar 2020
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 2286
Abstract
Background: Although obesity has been consistently correlated with higher plantar pressure during the lifespan, to date little evidence has been provided regarding of how domain-specific and total sedentary behaviors may be correlated with plantar pressures. Moreover, high peak plantar pressures have been consistently [...] Read more.
Background: Although obesity has been consistently correlated with higher plantar pressure during the lifespan, to date little evidence has been provided regarding of how domain-specific and total sedentary behaviors may be correlated with plantar pressures. Moreover, high peak plantar pressures have been consistently associated with foot pain and discomfort, which prevent individuals from being physically active. Therefore, the main purpose of the study was to explore the correlations between time spent in sedentary behaviors and plantar pressures. Methods: We recruited 120 older women aged ≥60 years. To assess the time spent in different domains of sedentary behavior, we used the Measure of Older Adults’ Sedentary Time (MOST) questionnaire. Peak pressures beneath forefoot, midfoot and hindfoot were measured with a Zebris pressure platform. Results: In the unadjusted model, peak pressures were significantly correlated with almost all domain-specific sedentary behaviors (r = 0.15–0.41). Total time spent in sedentary behaviors was significantly correlated with forefoot (r = 0.40, p < 0.001), hindfoot (r = 0.31, p < 0.001) and total peak plantar pressure (r = 0.40, p < 0.001). In a model adjusted for age, the risk of falls, foot pain and gait velocity, similar significant correlations between sedentary behaviors and plantar pressures remained. Conclusions: Our study shows moderate correlation between domain-specific and total time spent in sedentary behaviors and plantar pressure beneath different foot regions in a sample of older women. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Age-Related Functional Decline: Biological Mechanisms and Impacts of Lifestyle Behaviors)
10 pages, 3229 KiB  
Article
Association between Leucocyte Telomere Length and Risk of Hearing Loss in the General Population: A Case-Control Study in Zhejiang Province, China
by Huai Zhang, Dahui Wang, Haiyan Ma, Chenhui Li, Shichang Wang, Yi Wang, Lei Yang and Liangwen Xu
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(6), 1881; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17061881 - 13 Mar 2020
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2291
Abstract
Limited studies have assessed the relation between telomere length and risk of hearing loss; moreover, they have reported equivocal associations. In the first case-control study, the subjects were chosen from the general population of Zhejiang province in order to assess the association between [...] Read more.
Limited studies have assessed the relation between telomere length and risk of hearing loss; moreover, they have reported equivocal associations. In the first case-control study, the subjects were chosen from the general population of Zhejiang province in order to assess the association between leucocyte telomere length and risk of hearing loss from 2016 to 2018. A total of 817 cases (55.93 ± 8.99 years) and 817 age-, sex- and residential city-matched controls (55.91 ± 9.03 years) were included for analysis. In the multivariable models, individuals in the top quartile of relative telomere length (RTL) had an odds ratio (OR) for hearing loss of 0.53 (95% confidence intervals [CI], 0.38–0.74) compared to those in the bottom quartile, and specifically, the OR was 0.45 (95% CI, 0.28–0.73) in females. In females, the risk of hearing loss decreased by 46% as RTL doubling increased; the standard deviation of RTL was associated with a 29% decrease in hearing loss risk. Additional analysis showed significant difference between participants in the female mild hearing loss group and corresponding controls. These results suggest that telomere length is associated with hearing loss in the general population, particularly in females with mild hearing loss. Telomere length might be a potential predictive biomarker of hearing loss at early stage. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Age-Related Functional Decline: Biological Mechanisms and Impacts of Lifestyle Behaviors)
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