Muscle health in Hispanic women. REDLINC VIII.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate muscle strength and related factors in Hispanic women. Methods: We studied 593 women between 40 and 89?years old. The women were asked about personal and clinical information. The following instruments were applied: dynamometer (strength), Short Physical Performance Battery (physical performance), SARC-F (sarcopenia), International Physical Activity Questionnaire (physical activity), Menopause Rating Scale (quality of life), 36-item Short Form (general health), and Frailty (Fried?s criteria). Results: Low muscle strength rises from 7.1% of women in their 40s to 79.4% in their 80s. Physical performance is low in 0.5% of the first group and rises to 60.5% in the second. The risk of sarcopenia increases significantly from 6.7% in younger women to 58.1% in older women. Frailty, which affects less than 1% of women under age 60 years, increases to 39.5% in their 80s. Sedentary lifestyle rises from 26% to 68.3%. Fragility impairs the quality of life and the perception of health (p?70 years (OR 5?20) and with osteoarthritis (OR 4?9). Menopause before the age of 45?years increases the risk of sarcopenia (odds ratio 2.2; 95% confidence interval 1.2?4.0). Conclusion: With aging there is a decrease in muscle strength and an increase in frailty. This entails a decrease in the quality of life.