Table 2.
Body composition, functional performance, physical activity and strength testing measures by age group (n = 100)
| Variable | Young (n = 50) | Older (n = 50) | P value | Effect size (95% CI) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Body composition | ||||
| Fat mass (kg) | 17.5 ± 6.5 | 22.6 ± 7.6 | 0.001 | 0.72 (0.30, 1.10) |
| Lean mass (kg) | 54.2 ± 11.1 | 45.0 ± 10.4 | < 0.0001 | 0.85 (0.38, 1.30) |
| %TFM | 24.5 ± 8.4 | 32.7 ± 7.4 | < 0.0001 | 1.04 (0.64, 1.40) |
| Total-body ALM (kg) | 25.4 ± 6.0 | 20.1 ± 5.0 | < 0.0001 | 0.96 (0.56, 1.40) |
| Upper-body ALM (kg) | 6.7 ± 2.3 | 5.0 ± 1.5 | < 0.0001 | 0.88 (0.49, 1.30) |
| Lower-body ALM (kg) | 18.6 ± 3.9 | 15.1 ± 3.6 | < 0.0001 | 0.93 (0.54, 1.30) |
| Strength, muscle quality and functional performance | ||||
| Dominant HGS (kg) | 40.4 ± 10.5 | 29.1 ± 8.5 | < 0.0001 | 1.18 (0.78, 1.60) |
| Non-dominant HGS (kg) | 38.6 ± 10.9 | 27.3 ± 8.9 | < 0.0001 | 1.13 (0.74, 1.70) |
| Dominant leg extension 1RM (kg) | 58.3 ± 21.4 | 27.9 ± 8.6 | < 0.0001 | 1.86 (1.46, 2.30) |
| Non-dominant leg extension 1RM (kg) | 56.8 ± 20.1 | 26.3 ± 8.8 | < 0.0001 | 1.97 (1.57, 2.40) |
| Upper-body MQ (kg/kg) | 6.3 ± 1.3 | 5.9 ± 1.1 | 0.136 | 0.33 (− 0.11, 0.77) |
| Lower-body MQ (kg/kg) | 3.1 ± 0.7 | 1.9 ± 0.4 | < 0.0001 | 2.10 (1.72, 2.50) |
| 6-m gait speed (m/s) | 1.34 ± 0.17 | 1.21 ± 0.24 | 0.002 | 0.63 (0.24, 1.00) |
| Physical activity | ||||
| Walking (MET-min/week) | 2276 ± 2254 | 1933 ± 1713 | 0.393 | 0.17 (− 0.22, 1.56) |
| Moderate (MET-min/week) | 1537 ± 2068 | 2124 ± 2393 | 0.193 | 0.26 (− 0.13, 0.65) |
| Vigorous (MET-min/week) | 3266 ± 2815 | 1642 ± 3131 | 0.008 | 0.63 (0.17, 1.10) |
| Total (MET-min/week) | 7079 ± 4868 | 5699 ± 5045 | 0.167 | 0.27 (− 0.11, 0.65) |
Data presented as mean ± SD
%TFM percentage tissue fat mass, 1RM one repetition maximum, ALM appendicular lean mass, HGS handgrip strength, MET metabolic equivalent, MQ muscle quality