Physical activity and risk of sarcopenia in 6500 community-dwelling Japanese people aged 40-74 years: an 8-year follow-up study.

Background and aim: The association between physical activity (PA) and sarcopenia has mostly been investigated in older people, with few studies focused on earlier life stages. The present study aimed to determine whether higher PA levels are associated with a lower sarcopenia risk in middle-aged and early older people.

Methods: This was an 8-year follow-up study. Participants were 6,500 community-dwelling adults aged 40-74 years who participated in the baseline questionnaire survey conducted in 2011-2014 in Japan. Levels of total and leisure-time PAs at baseline were assessed using validated metabolic equivalent scores. Multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis and handgrip strength measurement were performed in 2021-2022, and participants with low height-adjusted appendicular lean mass (<20th percentile) and low grip strength were diagnosed as having sarcopenia (outcome). Covariates were demographics, body size, lifestyle, and disease history at baseline.

Results: The prevalence of sarcopenia was 137/2926 (4.7%) for men and 127/3574 (3.6%) for women. Higher total PA levels were associated with lower odds of sarcopenia (P for trend = 0.0278), with the second highest group having a significantly lower OR (0.51) than the lowest group (reference) in women, but not in men. Regarding leisure-time PA, those engaged in leisure-time vigorous PA had a lower OR of sarcopenia than those who did not (OR = 0.67, P = 0.0625).

Conclusion: Higher levels of total PA are associated with a lower risk of sarcopenia in women but not in men, suggesting a sex difference in this association. In addition, high levels of vigorous leisure-time PA may be effective for preventing sarcopenia.