300 Section - Correlation between Muscle Mass and Functional Performance in Older Adults with Sarcopenia

Sarcopenia is a geriatric syndrome marked by declines in muscle mass and functional performance. While assessment tools such as bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and ultrasound are widely used to evaluate muscle mass, the relationship between structural muscle measures and actual physical performance remains unclear. This study aimed to analyze the correlation between muscle mass and functional indicators in sarcopenic older adults.

Design:

Ten older adults with sarcopenia underwent baseline evaluation of thigh muscle mass using both BIA (average of left/right) and ultrasound. Functional performance was assessed using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT). Spearman correlation analysis was performed to examine the association between muscle mass and functional measures.

Results:

Ultrasound-measured muscle thickness demonstrated a modest positive correlation with SPPB scores (ρ = 0.31) and a weak correlation with 6MWT distance (ρ = 0.14). In contrast, BIA-based muscle mass showed a weak negative correlation with both SPPB (ρ = –0.19) and 6MWT (ρ = –0.13). A strong positive correlation was observed between SPPB and 6MWT (ρ = 0.68), supporting the internal consistency of functional assessments.

Conclusion:

Ultrasound-based muscle thickness appears to be more closely associated with functional status than BIA-derived muscle mass in older adults with sarcopenia. These findings support the use of ultrasound as a preferable tool for evaluating structural-functional relationships in sarcopenia.