Greater muscle strength is associated with better hemodynamic parameters, physical, cognitive and kidney function in older nursing-home residents

Abstract

Objective: To analyze hemodynamic parameters, kidney and cognitive function, and physical performance of institutionalized older adults with high- and low-strength. Method: Cross-sectional study. Twenty-one older adults (11 women, 10 men) participated in this study. Blood samples were collected for analysis of biochemical parameters. Cognitive function was evaluated using the mini-mental state examination (MMSE), clock drawing test (CDT), and verbal fluency test, while physical performance was assessed using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and, blood pressure, heart rate, and Framingham Risk Score were evaluated. Result: Based on the median value, participants were divided into low-strength (81.63 ± 3.03 years) and high-strength (82.10 ± 2.11 years). The high-strength group showed significantly lower systolic (138.8 ± 3.6 vs. 116.5 ± 3.1; p<0.05), diastolic (84.9 ± 2.14 vs. 72.9 ± 2.2; p<0.05), mean blood pressure (102.2 ± 2.4 vs. 87.4 ± 2.4; p<0.05), and cardiovascular risk (39.7 ± 4.6 vs. 26.0 ± 3.5; p<0.05) than the low-strength group. In addition, the high-strength group had better HDL-c levels (27.4 ± 1.7 vs. 35.6 ± 3.4; p<0.05), higher estimated glomerular filtration rate (51.5 ± 4.9 vs. 86.2 ± 5.5; p<0.05), and lower creatinine (0.94 ± 0.1 vs 0.57 ± 0.1; p<0.05) than the low-strength group. For cognitive data (MMSE and CDT p<0.05) and physical performance (semi-tandem, tandem and walking speed p<0.05), the high-strength group had better scores compared to the low-strength group. Conclusion: Institutionalized older adults with high-strength has better hemodynamic parameters, physical performance, kidney and cognitive function than those with low-strength levels.

Keywords

• Geriatric assessment
• cardiovascular
• cognitive performance
• renal function
• muscular strength