An analytical investigation of body parts more susceptible to aging and composition changes using statistical hypothesis testing

Abstract

In recent years, age-related changes in body composition in the elderly are attracting attention. This is associated with a decline in physical functions and an increased risk of disease development. In general, age-related changes in body composition can be minimized with appropriate exercise. However, there are no studies that investigate body parts susceptibility to aging and changes in body composition of those parts. Therefore, devising exercise programs and advising daily life while taking these into account becomes difficult. This study aims to identify body parts that are more susceptible to aging and their body composition changes. The body composition was obtained with a Direct Segmental Multi-frequency Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis using InBody770 in 8 male elderly patients who had been shortly hospitalized. Statistical hypothesis testing was used to determine whether site-specific body composition changed significantly between hospital discharge and 1 year, 1 year and 2 years, and hospital discharge and 2 years. The results showed that Lean body mass, Total Body Water, Intracellular Water, Extracellular Water in the right arm; Lean body mass and Total Body Water in the left arm and trunk are more sensitive to aging.

Keywords

• Older adults
• Body composition
• Age-related changes
• Multi-frequency impedance analysis
• Nonparametric test
• Bootstrap method