Muscle Strength Decline May Predict Fracture Risks for Older Adults

An Australian study found declining physical performance may be a predictor of fracture risk independent of common risk factors like age and bone density for older women and men, reports Healio . The authors analyzed data from 811 women and 440 men at least 60 years old and followed from 2000 to 2018, who attended clinical visits every two or three years. During follow-up, 224 women and 74 men suffered at least one fracture, for an incidence rate of 30 per 1,000 person-years for women and 18 per 1,000 person-years in men. Measurements for all muscle parameters declined during follow-up, except for lean mass in women. Higher rates of decline in physical performance were associated with elevated fracture risk for women, while only decline in grip strength measurement was associated with fracture risk among men. Baseline performance and strength measurements were linked to greater fracture risk for men only, and findings persisted following adjustments for body mass index, smoking status, alcohol use, physical activity, and comorbidities. "The rates of decline in physical performance were significantly associated with a 2.3-fold increase in fracture risk in women and men," the authors said. "Baseline measurements of muscle strength and performance were also independently associated with similar magnitude of fracture risk in men."