Gait and balance disturbances in older adults with sarcopenic‐obesity

Low lean body mass (sarcopenia,SS) and high fat mass (obesity,OO) are independent factors associated with gait and balance disturbances during aging. The evidence for sarcopenic‐obesity (low lean with high fat mass) is less clear and the focus of this investigation. Subjects (49 M, 134 F, 73 ± 6yr) were recruited from a falls prevention intervention trial at baseline when timed up and go (TUG), 30s chair stand (CS), and step test (ST) were assessed. Appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM), fat mass, and neck of femur bone mineral density were measured by DXA (Lunar DPX‐L) scanner. Body composition phenotypes were classified from lean and fat mass (normal lean, NL). The CS was different between the groups (p=0.03) and due to lower scores in SO compared to NL and OO (p=0.005, p=0.001, respectively). ST was significantly different (p=0.03) and due to lower scores in the SO compared to NL, OO, and SS (p=0.03, p=0.008, p=0.014, respectively). TUG was slower in SO compared to NL and OO (p=0.005, p=0.02, respectively). Neck of the femur t‐score in SO males was poorer than SO females (p=0.0009) and femoral neck bone mineral density and low ASM were independently associated with lower CS score (p=0.005, p<0.0001, respectively) with a trend towards an interaction with fat mass (p=0.06). This data provide evidence that sarcopenic‐obesity is associated with gait and balance deficits and possibly has a relationship with poor bone health. Supported by Accident Compensation Corporation New Zealand and University of Otago Research Grants.