Longitudinal Changes in Sarcopenia Criteria in Older Men with Low Skeletal Muscle Mass Index: A 2-Year Observational Study

Purpose Declines in muscle mass and function are inevitable during the aging process. However, what is the “normal age appropriate” decline of muscle mass and function? Further, is this decline uniform for muscle mass versus functions or between different functional abilities? Using recognized Sarcopenia criteria [i.e. skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) defined as appendicular skeletal muscle mass/height (kg/m2), handgrip strength, gait velocity], the aim of the present project was to determine corresponding changes in community-dwelling men 70 years+ with low SMI over a 2-year period.