Cited by 208Nutrition and Health in AgingBody Composition Measurement TechniquesMusculoskeletal pain and rehabilitation

Cross-sectional associations between trunk muscle composition, back pain, and physical function in the health, aging and body composition study

Hicks, G. E., Simonsick, E. M., Harris, T. B., Newman, A. B., Weiner, D. K., Nevitt, M. A., Tylavsky, F. A.·2005·The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Associations between trunk muscle composition and physical function have not been examined previously in older adults. We hypothesized that lower trunk muscle area and attenuation (higher fat infiltration) are associated with decreased functional capacity. METHODS: The study sample consisted of a biracial cohort of well functioning men (739) and women (788) aged 70-79 from the Pittsburgh site of the Health, Aging and Body Composition (Health ABC) study. Computed tomography was used to measure trunk muscle area (cm2) and muscle attenuation (Hounsfield Unit [HU]) of the following muscle groups: lumbar paraspinals, lateral abdominals, and rectus abdominis. An average score was calculated for both trunk area and attenuation. The Health ABC Physical Performance Battery (PPB) and its individual components (usual and narrow walk, chair stands, and standing balance) were used to measure functional capacity. RESULTS: Linear regression analyses adjusting for demographic factors, height, body fat, thigh muscle composition, disease status, and low back pain (LBP) found that average trunk muscle area was not associated with any element of functional capacity (p >.10), whereas average trunk muscle attenuation was positively associated with the Health ABC Physical Performance Battery (p <.05) and chair stands (p <.001). Participants reporting higher LBP severity during the past year had lower muscle attenuation (p <.001 for trend), but there was no difference in average trunk muscle area according to LBP status. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest a link between trunk muscle composition and history of LBP as well as reduced functional capacity in older adults. Improving trunk muscle quality may lead to reduced LBP severity and improved functional status.

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Crossref · 10.1093/gerona/60.7.882

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Authors
Hicks, G. E., Simonsick, E. M., Harris, T. B., Newman, A. B., Weiner, D. K., Nevitt, M. A., & Tylavsky, F. A.
Affiliations
  • National Institute on Aging (US)
  • National Institutes of Health (US)
  • University of Pittsburgh (US)
  • University of Tennessee Health Science Center (US)
Venue
The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences
Published
2005-07-01
Volume
60
Issue
7
Pages
882-887
ISSN
  • 1079-5006 (ISSN-L)
  • 1758-535X
OpenAlex
W2125010621
Cited by
208
References
21
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 18 · 2020: 22 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 10 · 2017: 14 · 2016: 17 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 13 · 2013: 11 · 2012: 6
FWCI
2.58
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • The Journals of Gerontology Series A (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
National Institute on Aging (N01‐AG‐6–2101, N01AG62106, N01-AG-62103)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Nutrition and Health in Aging
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Body Composition Measurement Techniques
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Musculoskeletal pain and rehabilitation
Keywords
low back pain, physical function, muscle attenuation, muscle fat infiltration, older adults, rectus abdominis, chair stand, physical performance, Health ABC Study
MeSH terms
Abdomen, Aged, Aging, Back Pain, Body Composition, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Health Status, Humans, Male, Motor Activity, Retrospective Studies, Risk Factors, Spine, Tomography, X-Ray Computed, Geriatric Assessment, Incidence, Muscle, Skeletal

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