A comparison of upper body strength and body composition between elderly from Costa Rica and Kansas

Abstract

Purpose: To compare the upper body strength and body composition in elderly from Costa Rica (CR) and Kansas (KS). Methods: Older adults from CR (men = 26, women = 52, mean age = 68.91 ± 4.79 yr.) and KS (men = 35, women = 65, mean age = 72.84 ± 5.59 yr.), underwent handgrip strength and body composition measurements (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry). Results: Men (31.24 ± 7.02 %) had lower %BF than women (41.28 ± 5.87 %; p ≤ 0.001). Women (15.0 ± 1.7 kg/m2) had lower lean tissue mass index than men (18.0 ± 1.7 kg/m2; p ≤ 0.001). Women (6.2 ± 0.8 kg/m2) had lower appendicular lean soft tissue index than men (8.1 ± 1.0 kg/m2; p ≤ 0.001). KS participants (1.16 ± 0.11 g/cm2) had higher total bone mineral density than CR participants (1.08 ± 0.11 g/cm2; p ≤ 0.001), and men (1.21 ± 0.11 g/cm2) had higher total bone mineral density than women (1.08 ± 0.09 g/cm2; p ≤ 0.001). Significant correlations (p ≤ 0.003 for all) were obtained between handgrip strength and body height (r = 0.72), body weight (r = 0.56), arms bone mineral density (r = 0.67), total bone mineral density (r = 0.56), lean arms mass (r = 0.78), total lean mass (r = 0.81), body fat% (r = -0.48), body fat mass index (r = -0.22), lean tissue mass index (r = 0.59), and appendicular lean soft tissue index (r = 0.69). Conclusions: Differences in body composition and handgrip strength were found in older adults from CR and KS. Ethnic-specific heterogeneity on biologic factors and physical-related performance allows for culturally diverse prevention programs for the elderly.