TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2023//
TI  - Lower gastrocnemius muscle stiffness, derived from elastography, is an independent factor for falls in older adults
JO  - Aging clinical and experimental research
A1  - Baş, Hakan
A1  - Okyar Baş, Arzu
A1  - Ceylan, Serdar
A1  - Güner, Merve
A1  - Koca, Meltem
A1  - Hafızoğlu, Merve
A1  - Şahiner, Zeynep
A1  - Öztürk, Yelda
A1  - Balcı, Cafer
A1  - Dogu, Burcu Balam
A1  - Cankurtaran, Mustafa
A1  - Halil, Meltem Gulhan
SP  - ePub
EP  - ePub
VL  - ePub
IS  - ePub
N2  - BACKGROUND AND AIMS: It is well known that components of sarcopenia (i.e., decreased muscle strength and mass) are related to falls in older adults. However, the possible effects of changes in muscle quality on falls have not been identified. This study aimed to evaluate the changes in muscle quality reflected by muscle stiffness derived from shear-wave elastography (SWE) and its association with falls in older adults. <br><br>METHODS: A total of 101 geriatric outpatients were included in the study. Assessments of physical performance, muscle strength (handgrip strength), muscle mass (muscle ultrasonography and bioelectrical impedance analysis), and muscle stiffness of the medial head of gastrocnemius (GCM) in relaxation and passive stretching were performed. The history of falls in the previous year was questioned and recorded. <br><br>RESULTS: The median (25-75 percentiles) age of participants was 73 (69-77) years, and 66.3% (n = 67) were female. According to fall history, participants were divided into non-fallers and fallers groups, and 72 (71.3%) and 29 (28.7%) participants were in each group, respectively. The median muscle stiffness of (Emean) the GCM in passive stretching was significantly lower in the fallers group (p < 0.001), and it was significantly correlated with the number of falls in the previous year (r: - 0.274, p: 0.010). In regression analyses, the Emean value of GCM in passive stretching was significantly associated with falls independent of confounders (OR: 0.944, 95% CI 0.90-0.98, p = 0.010). <br><br>DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: This is the first study to reveal the relationship between falls and SWE-defined lower GCM stiffness independently of muscle mass and strength.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1594-0667
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s40520-023-02605-6
ID  - ref1
ER  -