ECSS Paris 2023: CP-PN24
INTRODUCTION: Intramuscular adipose tissue (IntraMAT) is know as one of the ectopic fat which accumulates within skeletal muscle (1,2). IntraMAT content is higher in older individuals compared to young ones (3). IntraMAT content is significantly related to sarcopenia, physical activity, and eating habits (4,5). Older individuals with low body mass index (BMI) (underweight) are generally at high risk of sarcopenia (6). However, it is unknown whether there are differences in factors associated with IntraMAT content between underweight and normal-weight individuals. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the differences in factors associated with trunk IntraMAT content between underweight and normal-weight older women. METHODS: Thirty five older women aged 66 to 77 years (BMI: 21.9 ± 3.1 kg/m2) participated. Participants were divided into two groups based on BMI category based on dietary reference intakes for Japanese (2025) (7), namely, underweight group (UW, BMI: < 21.5 kg/m2, n = 20) and normal-weight group (NW, BMI: 21.5 to 24.5 kg/m2, n = 15). Trunk IntraMAT content and cross-sectional areas in 4 skeletal muscle groups (rectus abdominis, abdominal oblique, erector spinae, and iliopsoas) at the third lumbar vertebra were assessed by magnetic resonance imaging. Height, body weight, brachial blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol levels were evaluated. We also assessed daily physical activity using global physical activity questionnaire. Eating behavior was assessed using scores derived from a questionnaire included in the obesity guidelines issued by the Japan Society for the Study of Obesity. The questionnaire evaluated perception of body weight and body constitution, external eating behavior, emotional eating behavior, sense of hunger, eating style, food preference, and regularity of eating habits. (8,9). Physical functional tests such as the five-meter maximal gait speed and times taken for ten-time-repeated sit-to-stand were also measured. RESULTS: Trunk IntraMAT content in UW was significantly lower (26.2 ± 6.5 %) than that in NW (28.1 ± 7.4 %) (p<0.05). In UW, trunk IntraMAT content was significantly and positively correlated with LDL-cholesterol level and the score of eating styles (r = 0.485 and 0.512, p<0.05, respectively). In NW, trunk IntraMAT content had significant correlations with sit-to-stand (r = 0.389, p<0.05) and trunk skeletal muscle cross-sectional area (r = -0.540, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The factors associated with trunk IntraMAT content differ depending on BMI. In underweight older women, metabolic and behavioral factors may significantly affect to trunk IntraMAT content. In normal-weight older women, risk factors of sarcopenia such as skeletal muscle mass and physical functions may significantly relate to trunk IntraMAT content.
Read CV Kitagawa FunaECSS Paris 2023: CP-PN24
INTRODUCTION: Aging is associated with reduced brachial artery endothelial-dependent vasodilation, which is linked with an elevated cardiovascular disease risk. This risk may be worsened by engaging in more sedentary time (ST) or attenuated with higher levels of aerobic-based physical activity. The aim of this study was to explore differences in brachial flow-mediated dilation (FMD), light-intensity physical activity (LPA), moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA), and ST between healthy younger and older adults. METHODS: Brachial FMD was assessed via duplex ultrasonography in 12 younger (27 +/- 8 years) and 9 older (64 +/- 8 years) adults. Habitual ST and intensity-based physical activity were assessed via a thigh-positioned inclinometer and accelerometer (activPAL) worn continuously for 6.0 +/- 0.8 days. Aerobic fitness was quantified as V̇O2 peak via indirect calorimetry during a graded cycle ergometer test. RESULTS: Unexpectedly, brachial FMD was not different (p=0.32) between younger (5.9 +/-1.8%) and older adults (5.0 +/- 2.3%). As a group, older adults achieved international MVPA guidelines (150 minutes/week) but accumulated less habitual MVPA than younger adults (202 +/- 103 versus 269 +/- 81 minutes per week, p=0.05). However, they also engaged in less ST (10.2 +/- 2.7 versus 12.2 +/- 1.8 hours per day, p=0.04) and accrued more LPA (575 +/- 91 versus 402 +/- 89 minutes per week, p=0.02) compared to younger adults. There were no differences in V̇O2 peak between younger and older adults (38.3 +/- 10.5 versus 32.3 +/-7.3 ml/kg/min, p=0.14). CONCLUSION: Despite engaging in less total MVPA, older adults who achieved MVPA guidelines, engaged in more LPA, less ST and maintained aerobic fitness levels exhibited preserved brachial FMD responses compared with their younger peers.
Read CV Molly CourishECSS Paris 2023: CP-PN24
INTRODUCTION: Identifying exercise modalities that promote long-term participation is a key challenge in exercise prescription for older adults. Social dance represents a multimodal physical activity (i.e., combining rhythmic movement, coordination, and social interaction) typically performed at low-to-moderate intensity. While dance practice may be insufficient to induce substantial physiological adaptations, its role in influencing health-related perceptions could be relevant. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of a 6-month social dance program on perceived health status in older adults. METHODS: Fifty older adults were allocated to a dance group (DG, n = 25; age:74.4 ± 6.5 years) or a control group (CG, n = 25; age: 70.1 ± 7.3 years). The DG performed a supervised social dance training program two times per week for 6 months at low-to-moderate intensity, whereas the CG was instructed to maintain an active lifestyle without structured exercise participation. The Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) was administered to measure the level of self-reported physical activity and the EuroQol Visual Analogue Scale (EQ-VAS) to assess perceived health status at baseline (T0) and post-intervention (T1). RESULTS: Percentages of adherence to the DG and CG protocols were 62% and 60%, respectively. A significant time × group interaction was observed for EQ-VAS scores (p < 0.05). At T1, the DG reported higher perceived health status compared with the CG (76.0 ± 13.6 vs 68.4 ± 19.4 score). A significant main effect of time on PASE score was found. PASE scores were significantly higher at T1 than at T0 in both groups (p < 0.01). No exercise-related adverse events were reported during the intervention period. CONCLUSION: Six months of social dance training improved perceived health status in older adults compared to maintaining an active lifestyle only. Despite the relatively low exercise intensity, social dance may represent a viable complementary exercise modality capable of enhancing subjective health perception and supporting exercise participation in ageing populations.
Read CV Francesca GrecoECSS Paris 2023: CP-PN24