Defying Age: can active older adults with sarcopenic obesity overcome muscle strength and physical performance losses?

Background: Sarcopenic obesity (SO) is a condition characterized by a combination of low muscle mass and high body fat. It has been associated with reduced muscle strength and physical performance in older adults. However, it is not clear whether even sufficiently active older adults with SO may experience a decline in these outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the associations of SO with muscle strength and physical performance in sufficiently active older adults. Methods: We analyzed data from 72 older obese adults classified as sufficiently active based on their physical activity levels. Participants were categorized into four groups based on sex and SO status. Muscle strength parameters (knee extension using an isokinetic dynamometer, knee extension at an extensor chair, and handgrip strength) and mobility performance tests (six-minute walking distance, time up and go, and gait speed) were compared between groups using independent sample t-tests. Multiple linear regression and binary logistic regression were performed to examine the associations between SO and muscle strength and physical performance variability, adjusting for confounding variables. Results: The prevalence of SO in our sample was 55.6%. Handgrip strength was the only parameter that showed differences between SO groups, regardless of sex (p < 0.05). The six-minute walking distance test showed differences only between men. Multiple linear regression showed that SO negatively explained the variability of handgrip strength (model 2: =-0.210; p < 0.05), even when adjusted for confounding variables. Binary logistic regression showed that an increase in handgrip strength values was associated with a decrease in the chances of older adults being classified as SO (OR: 0.784 [95% CI: 0.654–0.940; p < 0.05]), even when adjusted for confounding variables. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that even with SO, sufficiently active older adults did not present a significant reduction in muscle strength in the lower limbs and physical performance. These results highlight the importance of promoting physical activity in older adults with SO to maintain their muscle strength and physical performance.