Wataru Nakano

Aims: Higher levels of N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) have been shown to be associated with muscle deterioration and lower physical performance among patients with heart failure (HF). The aim of this study was to clarify the relationships between NT‐proBNP levels, sarcopenia, and physical function among community‐dwelling older adults. Methods: This study included 2793 community‐dwelling older adults without overt HF symptoms (mean age: 74 ± 4 years; 54% women) who participated in a community‐based study. NT‐proBNP levels were measured and categorized into four groups: < 125, 125–299, 300–899, and ≥ 900 pg/mL. Sarcopenia was determined according to the skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) and handgrip strength, while usual gait speed and five‐times sit‐to‐stand (5‐STS) time were assessed as indicators of physical function. Bioimpedance phase angle was assessed as an indicator of muscle quality. Results: In logistic regression analyses, NT‐proBNP ≥ 900 pg/mL was significantly associated with low gait speed [odds ratio (OR): 2.79, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.08–7.20] and prolonged 5‐STS time (OR: 3.71, 95% CI: 1.49–9.20). These associations were consistent for both men and women and remained significant after exclusion of participants with heart disease and after adjustment for sarcopenia. In contrast, high NT‐proBNP levels were not significantly associated with low SMI (OR: 1.34, 95% CI: 0.54–3.32), handgrip strength (OR: 1.32, 95% CI: 0.65–2.34), or sarcopenia (OR: 1.45, 95% CI: 0.53–4.01). A significant trend of a decreasing phase angle ( p < 0.001) with increasing NT‐proBNP levels was observed. Conclusion: High NT‐proBNP levels were associated with lower physical function independent of sarcopenia among community‐dwelling older adults. The lower physical function observed among participants with high NT‐proBNP levels may be associated with reduced muscle quality.

Self-controlled feedback promotes motor skills among patients with bodies altered by disease or injury. However, mechanisms underlying its effectiveness remain unexplored. This study determined whether metacognitive ability is involved in the learning benefits of self-controlled feedback during motor skill acquisition. Twenty-eight healthy adults (14 women; mean age = 21.6 ± 0.5 years), assigned to a self-control group (which received knowledge of the results only when requested) or a yoked group (which received knowledge of the results with the paired participants in the self-control group), performed a golf putting task. The experiment comprised a pre-test, practice trials, and a retention test administered 24 h after practice completion. Metacognitive ability was assessed after practice using the Adult Metacognition Scale. The self-control group showed greater improvement from the pre-test (V = 4.5, p < 0.01) and scored higher than the yoked group on the retention test (U = 51, p = 0.02). No between-group differences were found for any metacognitive subscale scores. Metacognitive monitoring was positively correlated with putting performance improvement only in the yoked group (p < 0.05, r = 0.56). The self-control group showed enhanced motor learning compared with the yoked group. Metacognitive monitoring was associated with learning only when feedback timing was externally determined, suggesting that self-control benefits learners with lower metacognitive monitoring.

Objectives: Physical activity is a relevant factor for the locomotive syndrome (LS); however, the association between intensity of physical activity and LS is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the associations among different intensities of physical activity (vigorous, moderate, and light), sedentary time, and LS. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of records from 2890 Japanese community residents (mean age: 57.5 years) was conducted. LS was assessed using the stand-up test, two-step test, and 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale. Physical activity and sedentary time were assessed by self-administered questionnaires. The associations among physical activity, sedentary time, and LS were examined by logistic regression analysis stratified by age (<65 years and ≥65 years) and sex. Results: Vigorous physical activity in men aged ≥65 years, and moderate and vigorous physical activities in women aged <65 years were significantly associated with lower odds of LS. By contrast, no significant association was found between physical activity and LS in men <65 years and women ≥65 years of age. No association between light physical activity and the LS was found in either group. The association between sedentary time and LS was observed in women aged <65 years. Conclusions: Physical activity and sedentary time were associated with the LS but in an age- and sex-dependent manner. This study highlights the importance of engaging individuals in high-intensity physical activity to prevent or address LS.

AimThe combination of dynapenia (age-related muscle weakness) and obesity is referred to as dynapenic obesity. We examined the associations between dynapenic obesity and cortical bone thickness and trabecular bone density.MethodsThe participants were 797 community-dwelling postmenopausal women (with an average age of 62.5 years) who were stratified into normopenia without obesity, dynapenia without obesity (dynapenia), normopenia with obesity (obesity) and dynapenia with obesity (dynapenia obesity) groups based on their grip strength and body fat percentage. Cortical bone thickness and trabecular bone density were measured using ultrasonic bone densitometry. The participants were further divided into those with low cortical bone thickness and low trabecular bone density. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify associated factors.ResultsIndividuals with dynapenia (odds ratio [OR] 1.77, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.16-2.68), obesity (OR 2.46, 95% CI 1.62-3.75) and dynapenic obesity (OR 4.07, 95% CI 2.44-6.79) all significantly increased the odds of low cortical bone thickness. Conversely, the odds of low trabecular bone density were significantly lower in the obesity group (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.43-0.99) and dynapenic obesity group (OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.37-0.97).ConclusionsDynapenic obesity was found to be associated with cortical bone thinning that might compromise bone health. Postmenopausal women with dynapenic obesity might need to be closely monitored for preserving bone health. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; center dot center dot: center dot center dot-center dot center dot. We examined the associations between dynapenic obesity and cortical bone thickness and trabecular bone density. Dynapenic obesity was found to be associated with cortical bone thinning that might compromise bone health. image

Objective: Evidence for an association between locomotive syndrome (LS) and depression is lacking in middle-aged women. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between LS severity and depressive symptoms in community-dwelling middle-aged women. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 1520 middle-aged women (mean age 52 ± 6 years). LS severity was evaluated using the 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale questionnaire and motor function test. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Zung self-rating depression scale. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the association between depressive symptoms and LS severity, adjusting for potential confounding factors. Results: LS severity, as evaluated through both questionnaires and motor function tests, was significantly associated with depressive symptoms (self-rating depression scale ≥ 40 points) in middle-aged women. The relationship between LS and depressive symptoms was only significant when assessed through the 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale questionnaire rather than the motor function tests. Additionally, a stepwise association was observed between pain severity, as assessed by the 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale, and the prevalence of depressive symptoms. Conclusions: LS severity is significantly associated with depressive symptoms in community-dwelling middle-aged women, suggesting the need for additional mental status assessment in participants with LS and concurrent pain.

Few studies have reported changes in the accumulation patterns of physical activity over a year after stroke. This study characterized the longitudinal changes in physical activity levels and their...