P68 Age-related muscle strength decline in mid-late life varies in men and women and is associated with diet and physical activity: observations from the Hertfordshire Cohort Study

Abstract

Background: In the context of an aging population, age-related decline in muscle strength is well recognised, and is associated with functional limitation and increased mortality. However, scarce epidemiological data are available regarding its prevalence, or lifestyle associations at a time when intervention is still possible to retard or prevent loss. We considered these issues in the Hertfordshire Cohort Study, a cohort of late-middle aged community dwelling adults. Method(s): 2,987 participants were seen in 1999-2004, 1,572 men and 1,415 women. A lifestyle questionnaire was administered that asked about social class, physical activity, diet, co-morbidities and cigarette and alcohol consumption. Grip strength was measured with a Jamar dynamometer, three times on each side with the highest value used. Age related muscle strength decline was defined, according to current convention, as a grip strength <30kg in men and <20 kg in women. Result(s): The mean age of participants was 65.8 (IQR 63.5-67.8) years for men and 66.5 (IQR 64.5-68.7) years for women. Muscle strength decline was more common in women (10.3%) than men (3%); the odds ratio (OR) for age-related muscle strength decline was 3.73 (95%CI 2.66-5.23) in women relative to men (p<0.001). Factors that appeared protective included higher physical activity scores in men (OR 0.97, 95%CI 0.96-0.99, p=0.003) and in women (OR 0.97, 95%CI 0.96- 0.98, p<0.001) and a higher prudent diet score in women (OR: 0.74, 95%CI 0.60-0.90 p=0.003). Muscle strength decline was strongly associated with quality of life in women (p