Table 7. Hertfordshire Sarcopenia Study (HSS) and extension (HSSe).
Objective: | To explore whether small size at birth is associated with cellular changes in human
skeletal muscle that persist into adult life and have adverse consequences for muscle ageing in terms of muscle mass, lower strength and impaired metabolism. |
Methodology: | Home visit followed by detailed clinical assessments during a day visit at the Wellcome
Trust Clinical Research Facility, Southampton General Hospital 21. |
Key data availability: | |
• Cigarette smoking
• Alcohol consumption • Short food frequency questionnaire (HSSe only) • Falls • Strawbridge frailty score • Fried frailty components • Townsend disability scale • Physical activity questionnaire • SF-36 health related quality of life • Co-morbidity • Current medications • Cognitive function (AH4 intelligence quotient, Mill Hill vocabulary test) • Day and night salivary stress hormones • Venous blood samples after overnight fast: glucose insulin HbA1c hormonal, inflammatory and DNA analyses • Biopsy of the vastus lateralis muscle using a Weil Blakesley conchotome • Immunohistochemical analysis of muscle: myofibre type, number, density and area • Muscle tissue stored at -80C for gene expression studies • DXA scan to quantify regional and total lean mass, fat mass and bone mineral content (Hologic Discovery) • Sub-maximal cycle ergometry exercise test (heart rate, energy expenditure and oxygen consumption) • Height; weight; waist, hip, mid upper arm, and thigh circumferences • Triceps, biceps, subscapular and suprailiac skinfold thicknesses (Crymych callipers) • Blood pressure (DASH 3000 device) • ECG • Grip strength (Jamar hand-grip dynamometer) • Timed 6m up-and-go test and 3m walk • Chair rises • Timed one-legged stand • 7-day wrist-worn Geneactiv physical activity monitoring |