SARC-T a new physical test for sarcopenia assessment with development, validation and physiological evaluation

Abstract

Background: Sarcopenia is a disease characterized by the progressive loss of muscle mass and strength associated with aging. There are marked differences in sarcopenia prevalence depending on the diagnostic algorithm used. It has been demonstrated that muscle power is the most relevant predictor for determining functional limitations in older adults. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the performance of the Sarcopenia Optoelectronic Chair-Rise Velocity Test (SARC-T) as complementary alternative to tests that determinate probable sarcopenia and/or assess its severity, as well as to assessment analyze its correlation with other validated tests. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted in a population residing in elderly care centers. All physical tests included in the second version of the diagnostic algorithm developed by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2 (EWGSOP2) in 2019 were performed. In addition, the SARC-T was administered to measure the speed at which participants rose from a chair. Physiological variables, including heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and oxygen saturation (SpO2), were also monitored. Results: The sarcopenia group showed significantly lower physical performance than the non-sarcopenia group in all tests. At a physiological level, no significant differences were found between groups in the 5-STST, Handgrip, and TUG. Additionally, the SARC-T showed a strong correlation with Handgrip (r = 0.800), 5-STST (r = −0.719) and TUG (r = −0.523), and a moderate correlation with Gait Speed (r = −0.438) in sarcopenia group. Conclusion: The SARC-T could be a safe, accurate, and low-impact complementary tool for assessing the probability and severity of sarcopenia.