Gerontology最新文献

{"title":"What Changes First? Mapping the Temporal Ordering of Age-related Functional Decline Across Domains Using 30-year Longitudinal Data.","authors":"Gabriela Lunansky, Marjolein Visser, Martijn Huisman, Erik J Giltay, Almar A L Kok","doi":"10.1159/000548990","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/000548990","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Age-related functional decline is assumed to be a complex process in which declines in one domain may trigger decline in others. Yet research empirically identifying the temporal ordering of age-related decline across emotional, cognitive, physical and social functioning as well as health-behavioural factors is still scarce.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We analyzed up to 10 waves of the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA) cohort over 30 years (n=1560), covering fifteen indicators of physical, cognitive, emotional, social functioning and health-behavioural factors. We used Dynamic Time Warping to quantify the temporal ordering of within-person changes in these indicators. Average temporal relationships were visualized as a network graph, and by rank-ordering indicators by their tendency to precede (high out-strength) or follow (high in-strength) changes in other indicators.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Participants were on average 62.3±5.50 years old at baseline, 53.8% female, with 14.8±4.74 years follow-up. Physical and cognitive declines (e.g., physical performance and episodic memory) tended to precede decline in other domains, while changes in social functioning (e.g., social participation) tended to follow. No clear temporal ordering was found between emotional functioning (e.g., depression and anxiety) and other domains.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The study offers insights into early detection and prevention strategies for healthy aging. Assuming that physical and cognitive domains are primarily driven by age-related biological changes, our findings support theories proposing that biological changes precede functional decline, and theories emphasizing the importance of psychosocial resilience. Moreover, this study highlights the potential of adopting a complex systems approach and innovative within-person analytical methods in gerontology.</p>","PeriodicalId":12662,"journal":{"name":"Gerontology","volume":" ","pages":"1-22"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145354504","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cognitive Predictors of Functional Status Transitions Among Older Adults with Seven-Year Follow-Up: A Latent Transition Analysis.","authors":"Alex Pak Lik Tsang, Lexi Han Zhi Tan, Lihui Pu, Kwanjai Amnatsatsue, Patrick Pui Kin Kor","doi":"10.1159/000549061","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/000549061","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Preserving functional abilities is crucial for older adults to remain independent. Cognitive functions such as memory, orientation, and executive functions are vital for managing everyday activities. Despite rapid population aging, the differential impacts of various cognitive functions on functional transitions over time remain poorly understood. This study sought to identify longitudinal patterns of functional status transitions among older adults and examine how baseline cognitive predictors contribute to these transitions.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study analyzed data from a nationally representative sample of 9,538 Chinese adults aged 60 and above, drawn from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. Latent transition analysis was employed to identify patterns of functional transitions from 2013 to 2020 and to evaluate the predictive utility of cognitive measures assessed in 2011.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The analysis revealed four functional classes at both time points: Highly Functionally Independent, Mildly Functionally Dependent, Moderately IADL Dependent, and Severely Functionally Dependent. The Highly Functionally Independent and Severely Functionally Dependent classes showed high temporal stability, while individuals in the Mildly and Moderately Dependent classes were more likely to either experience improvement or decline. Using the Stable Functional Independence class as the reference group, the covariate-adjusted model identified higher baseline orientation as the most robust predictor. Specifically, better baseline orientation significantly reduced the likelihood of membership in either the Functional Improvement or Stable Functional Dependence classes. Better memory performance was also linked to a lower likelihood of being in the Functional Decline and Stable Functional Dependence classes. Additionally, higher executive functions performance was associated with a reduced likelihood of membership in the Functional Improvement class.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study highlights the heterogeneity of functional transitions during the aging process. Within this cohort, orientation emerged as the most consistent protective factor against functional deterioration. The protective role of orientation is likely attributable not only to its fundamental importance for performing essential functional tasks, but also as a key early indicator of mild cognitive impairment and dementia. These findings underscore that distinct cognitive predictors can differentially influence trajectories of functional aging.</p>","PeriodicalId":12662,"journal":{"name":"Gerontology","volume":" ","pages":"1-21"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145354494","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring Neuroinflammation and Its Role in Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction Following Spine Surgery.","authors":"Johanna Ruhnau, Jonas Müller, Stephan Nowak, Sarah Strack, Denise Sperlich, Anna Pohl, Jasmin Dilz, Sebastian Rehberg, Taras Usichenko, Klaus Hahnenkamp, Martin Weidemeier, Johannes Ehler, Agnes Flöel, Henry W S Schroeder, Jan-Uwe Müller, Robert Fleischmann, Antje Vogelgesang","doi":"10.1159/000548923","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/000548923","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>: Background: Progress in spine surgery has significantly improved the safety of proce-dures for older patients with disabling spine disease. However, postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) remain a concern due to their link with poorer outcomes and higher long-term care risk. This study aimed to determine if pro-neuroinflammatory states accelerate neurodegeneration, contributing to POCD development, and explore whether specific biomarkers could predict POCD risk.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Patients (aged ≥ 60 years) scheduled for elective spine surgery between February 2018 and March 2020 were enrolled. Biomarkers tested included IL-6, CRP, S100 calcium-binding protein β (S100β), Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), Neurofilament light chain protein (sNFL), Gasdermin D, and soluble ectodomain of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (sTREM2), measured pre-operatively and postoperatively. Cognitive outcomes were assessed using the CERAD test battery at baseline and three months postoperatively.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Postoperative levels of sTREM2 and Gasdermin D were significantly associated with cognitive performance changes three months after surgery, particularly in memory function. Higher sTREM2 levels were associated with greater cognitive decline, with six out of twelve CERAD items showing an inverse association (e.g., overall β = -0.010, p = 0.0003). Similarly, higher postoperative Gasdermin D levels were linked to worse performance, particularly in recognition memory (e.g., word list recognition β = -0.615, p = 0.032). Additionally, higher preoperative sNFL levels were associated with poorer cog-nitive outcomes across multiple domains.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study highlights potential associations between neuroinflammation and cognitive decline following spine surgery. Targeting neuroin-flammatory pathways could be crucial in mitigating POCD in older patients. Biomarkers may help identify high-risk patients and guide the development of targeted interventions.</p>","PeriodicalId":12662,"journal":{"name":"Gerontology","volume":" ","pages":"1-20"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145336764","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Public views towards lifespan, healthspan, and Healthy Longevity Medicine in Singapore: a qualitative study from the HEalthy LOngevity (HELO) initiatives.","authors":"Belinda Wang, Anna Szücs, Elena Sandalova, Zhi Meng Lim, E J Horberg, Paul A O'Keefe, Louis Island, Sonny Rosenthal, Andrea B Maier","doi":"10.1159/000548994","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/000548994","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Healthy Longevity Medicine (HLM) offers a strategy to reduce the healthspan-lifespan gap, yet public perspectives remain unclear. This study refines the HEalthy LOngevity (HELO) framework through a qualitative exploration of public views towards lifespan, healthspan, and HLM.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Individuals living in Singapore participated in semi-structured group or individual discussions to explore (a) their understanding of lifespan and healthspan, (b) motivational factors for health behaviours, and (c) their awareness of HLM. Sampling maximised variation across age, sex, and ethnicity. Data obtained through 13 discussions were analysed with a mixed, inductive-deductive approach employing the HELO framework.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Thirty-six participants (mean age= 49.4 years, SD=15.9, 19 males, 15 ethnic Chinese) were generally familiar with the definitions of lifespan and healthspan, emphasising the importance of quality of life. Health was defined comprehensively, and autonomy over behaviours was highly valued during ageing and in adopting health behaviours. Community resources and government health initiatives were deemed useful, recognising the potential to enhance social, mental, and physical health. Singapore's busy, achievement-oriented culture was identified as a barrier to healthy behaviours. Participants expressed enthusiasm for HLM's potential to extend healthspan yet voiced concerns about lifestyle changes and potentially losing autonomy.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Personal values and priorities were central to motivations towards healthy longevity. HLM should assess and align diagnostic and treatment plans with individual preferences to support sustainable health behaviours. The Singapore public's alignment with government policies presents an opportunity to promote HLM adoption.</p>","PeriodicalId":12662,"journal":{"name":"Gerontology","volume":" ","pages":"1-20"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145312707","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Bidirectional Casual Relationships between Chronic Inflammation and Intrinsic Capacity Decline: Insights from Mendelian Randomization Analysis.","authors":"Mengjin Hu, Xiaosong Li, Zhaoting Gong, Yuejin Yang, Chunlin Yin","doi":"10.1159/000548944","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/000548944","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Intrinsic capacity, encompassing locomotion, vitality, cognition, psychology, and sensory function, is a critical determinant of healthy aging, yet its association with inflammatory markers remains poorly understood due to confounding factors in observational studies.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to investigate the bidirectional causal relationships between chronic inflammation and intrinsic capacity decline using Mendelian randomization (MR).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a bidirectional MR analysis using summary-level data from large-scale genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Genetic variants associated with five inflammatory markers [C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and white blood cell count (WBC)] and intrinsic capacity domains were used as instrumental variables. The inverse-variance weighted method was employed as the primary analysis, supplemented by sensitivity analyses including MR-Egger, weighted median, and weighted mode.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Higher CRP levels were negatively associated with anxiety, hand grip strength, malnutrition, and usual walking pace, but positively associated with macular degeneration. Elevated IL-1RA levels were associated with reduced cognitive performance, while higher WBC levels were linked to decreased hand grip strength and usual walking pace. Better cognitive performance, hand grip strength, and usual walking pace were associated with lower CRP and WBC levels. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of these findings.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our study provides robust evidence for bidirectional causal relationships between chronic inflammation and intrinsic capacity decline, highlighting inflammation as a potential target for interventions to promote healthy aging. Future research should explore these relationships in diverse populations and investigate therapeutic strategies to mitigate inflammation-related declines in intrinsic capacity.</p>","PeriodicalId":12662,"journal":{"name":"Gerontology","volume":" ","pages":"1-16"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145312703","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Precision Aging® Network: Creating a roadmap for healthy brain aging.","authors":"Carol A Barnes, Bijan Najafi","doi":"10.1159/000548488","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/000548488","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":12662,"journal":{"name":"Gerontology","volume":" ","pages":"1-13"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145148836","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Predictors of Consent to Online and Genetic Research among Adults on the MindCrowd Cognitive Health Platform.","authors":"Katherine D Ellingson, William J Degnan, Azmat Sidhu, Darcey Lynn, Julia G Saborio, Megan Johnson, Grace M Leito, Carolina Carrasco, Carol A Barnes, David W Coon, Zhao Chen, Matthew Huentelman","doi":"10.1159/000548419","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/000548419","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>MindCrowd is an online cognitive health platform that engages adults in a 10-minute experience, including the paired-associates learning (PAL) test, a demographic survey, and an option to be contacted for future research. This study's objective was to identify factors associated with consent to research studies.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Adults from US zip codes, who joined MindCrowd from 06/17/2022-12/31/2024 and agreed to be contacted for future research, were eligible for the study. Outcomes included consent to online cognitive health surveys (MindCrowd Expanded) and genetic testing for AD risk via mailed self-collection kit. Variables of interest included age, sex, race, ethnicity, education, socioeconomic vulnerability, family history of AD, and PAL test score. Consent was modeled using multivariable logistic regression, generating adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>52,113 MindCrowd participants were study-eligible - 19.1% consented to MindCrowd Expanded and 9.5% to genetic testing. Compared with White individuals, Black individuals had 58% and 75% lower odds of consenting to MindCrowd Expanded [aOR=0.42(95% CI=0.37-0.48)] and genetic testing [aOR=0.25(95% CI=0.20-0.32)], respectively. Compared with non-Hispanic individuals, Hispanic individuals had 26% and 37% lower odds of consenting to MindCrowd Expanded [aOR=0.74(95% CI=0.68-0.80)] and genetic studies [aOR=0.63(95% CI=0.56-0.71)], respectively.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Despite previous research demonstrating that Black and Hispanic MindCrowd participants were more willing to be contacted for future research than White participants, findings from this study suggest hesitancy to consent to online cognitive aging research and genetic testing. A more intentional approach may be necessary to retain MindCrowd participants from underrepresented communities in cognitive research studies.</p>","PeriodicalId":12662,"journal":{"name":"Gerontology","volume":" ","pages":"1-24"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145148898","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of 12 Weeks of Whole-Body Vibration Training and Vitamin D Supplementation on Bone Density and Muscle Quality in the Aged with Osteosarcopenia: A Randomized Controlled Trial.","authors":"Wenxiong Li, Yangchi Li, Zizheng Wang, Yv Lu, Yongfeng Qiu, Zhibin Li, Feng Yang","doi":"10.1159/000547822","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000547822","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Osteosarcopenia (OS) is a common geriatric condition, which seriously impairs the quality of life of the elderly, but there is a lack of research on its mechanism and treatment. This study explores the efficacy of whole-body vibration (WBV) training plus vitamin D in OS intervention and its correlation with irisin and myostatin (MSTN).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Subjects meeting the enrollment criteria were recruited from the Affiliated Hospital of Shaanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Forty-eight volunteers were enrolled and divided into a control group and a WBVT group, with 24 in each. The control group takes 0.25 μg of calcitriol orally half an hour after breakfast daily. The WBVT group received WBV training 3 times a week in addition to the control treatment for 3 months, followed by a 3-month follow-up. Primary outcomes were lumbar, hip, and forearm bone mineral density (BMD), appendicular skeletal muscle mass measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, and handgrip strength. Secondary outcomes included serum MSTN, irisin, bone turnover markers, physical performance (assessed by 5-time chair stand test, 6-m walk, and SPPB), and adverse events in the trial.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Baseline indicators were comparable between the two groups. WBV training with oral vitamin D improved OS patients' BMD, muscle mass, strength, and physical function. It increased serum vitamin D, N-MID, tPINP levels and decreased β-CTX levels. Also, it raised irisin and lowered MSTN levels.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>WBV training in conjunction with oral vitamin D administration is conducive to increasing BMD, augmenting muscle mass and strength, as well as improving body function in subjects with OS. The underlying mechanism might be associated with the modulation of myokines such as irisin and MSTN.</p>","PeriodicalId":12662,"journal":{"name":"Gerontology","volume":" ","pages":"1-11"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145091644","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Negative wealth shock and epigenetic aging in middle-aged and older adults.","authors":"Zhuo Li, Yantao Wang, Xin Ning, Yanan Luo","doi":"10.1159/000548231","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/000548231","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Negative wealth shocks can pose a serious threat to health, however, there has been no research exploring the potential link between negative wealth shocks and epigenetic aging. This study aims to explore the relationship between negative wealth shocks and epigenetic aging in middle-aged and older adults.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study conducted an analysis using data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS). The analytical sample was narrowed down to include only participants with a 2016 VBS sampling weight, resulting in a final sample size of 3,982 individuals. A negative wealth shock is characterized by a decline of 75% or more in total wealth between two consecutive waves, representing a significant decline in wealth. Various epigenetic clocks-including Horvath, Hannum, PhenoAge, GrimAge, DunedinPoAm, epiTOC, Zhang, and Skin&Blood-were employed to assess biological age by analyzing DNA methylation patterns. OLS linear regression was used to evaluate the relationship between wealth status and the epigenetic clocks.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among the participants, 6.98% experienced a negative wealth shock, 6.93% were classified as baseline asset poor, and 86.09% belonged to the positive wealth group. No significant relationship was found between negative wealth shock and the first-generation epigenetic clocks (Horvath and Hannum). However, a correlation was observed between negative wealth shock and accelerated epigenetic aging when assessed using the second-generation clocks (epiTOC, Zhang, GrimAge) and the third-generation clock (DunedinPoAm), with the exception of PhenoAge and Horvath2. After adjusting for demographic factors and socioeconomic factors, the significant association between negative wealth shock and accelerated aging in DunedinPoAm, Zhang, and GrimAge persisted. This significance remained even after further adjustments for lifestyle factors and health conditions.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our study identifies a significant relationship between negative wealth shocks and biological aging in middle-aged and older adults. This suggests that socioeconomic factors, particularly sudden economic losses and fluctuations, should be considered in strategies for promoting healthy longevity and aging interventions. Additionally, there is a need for unemployment protection policies or measures to help stabilize medical and food consumption for households or individuals during times of economic instability, addressing the negative impacts of wealth shocks on accelerated aging.</p>","PeriodicalId":12662,"journal":{"name":"Gerontology","volume":" ","pages":"1-14"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145085876","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sex-specific Differences in Ultrasound-Derived Muscle Parameters and Their Associations with Strength and Physical Function in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.","authors":"Han Yuan, Maeng-Kyu Kim","doi":"10.1159/000548460","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/000548460","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Ultrasound technology is a promising tool for assessing muscle condition in older adults. However, sex-specific differences in how ultrasound-derived muscle parameters related to the physical function remain unclear.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, CINAHL, and SPORTDiscus was conducted to identify studies reporting sex-stratified associations between ultrasound-derived muscle parameters and functional measures. Correlation coefficients were transformed using Fisher's z-transformation and analyzed with random-effects models, then back-transformed to Pearson's r. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic, and publication bias was evaluated using funnel plots and Egger's test.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Analysis of 39 studies revealed that ultrasound-derived muscle parameters were consistently correlated with strength assessments across sexes, including maximal and handgrip strength (males: muscle thickness [MT], r = 0.30-0.42; echo intensity [EI], r = -0.34 to -0.38; females: MT, r = 0.34-0.37; EI, r = -0.34 to -0.35; all p > 0.05). However, for explosive power, both MT and EI had stronger associations in males than females (MT: r = 0.70 vs. 0.42; EI: r = -0.52 vs. -0.27; both p < 0.05). In gait function, MT was positively correlated in females (r = 0.22, p < 0.05) but not in males (r = -0.03, p = 0.62). Additionally, EI correlations were significantly stronger in females than males in the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test (r = 0.40 vs. 0.19, p < 0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This meta-analysis revealed that MT and EI exhibit comparable correlations with maximal and handgrip strength across sexes. However, both parameters show stronger associations with explosive power in males. In contrast, females displayed more robust associations with physical function, with MT being more strongly linked to gait speed and EI to TUG performance. These findings highlight the need for sex-specific considerations in ultrasound-based muscle evaluations and provide foundational data to inform future clinical applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":12662,"journal":{"name":"Gerontology","volume":" ","pages":"1-22"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145085886","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}