Key fitness measure is strong predictor of longevity after certain age, study finds

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For women over 60,muscle strengthplays a critical role in longevity, a new study confirms.

Researchers at the University at Buffalo, New York, followed more than 5,000 women between the ages of 63 and 99, finding that those with greater muscle strength had a significantly lower risk of death over an eight-year period.

The findings were published in JAMA Network Open.

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Muscle function was measured using grip strength and how quickly participants could complete five unassisted sit-to-stand chair raises. 

These are two tests commonly used in clinical settings to evaluate muscle function inolder adults, the researchers noted.

Senior woman performing a squat exercise with light dumbbells during an outdoor workout on a sunny day.

A recent study shows that stronger muscle strength in women over 60 is linked to a lower risk of death over eight years.(iStock)

“In a community cohort of ambulatory older women, muscular strength was associated with significantly lower mortality rates, even when we accounted forusual physical activityand sedentary time measured using a wearable monitor, gait speed and blood C-reactive protein levels,�

“Movement is the key — just move more and sit less.”

Many earlier studies did not include those objective measurements, making it difficult to determine whether muscle strength itself waslinked to longevity, according to LaMonte.“Our study was able to better isolate the association between strength and death in later life,” he added.

for longevity, the researchers found.

Woman performing a resistance band lunge with a dumbbell during an outdoor lower body workout on grass.

Women with greater muscle strength were more likely to live longer, even if they did not meet the recommended amount of aerobic exercise.(iStock)

“The findings of lower mortality in those who had higher strength but were not meeting current national guidelines on aerobic activity were somewhat intriguing,” LaMonte said.

bodyweight movementsor even household items, such as soup cans.

Active seniors performing shoulder raises with dumbbells during an outdoor group fitness class in a park.

Experts recommend working major muscle groups one or two days a week using weights, bands or bodyweight exercises.(iStock)

“Movement is the key — just move more and sit less,” he said.“When we can no longer get out of the chair and move around, we are in trouble.”

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LaMonte acknowledged several limitations of the study.The researchers assessed muscle strength in older age but did not explore how earlier levels in adulthood might influence long-termhealth outcomes.

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“We were not able to understand how strength and mortality relate in younger ages,” he said, noting that future research should explore whether building strength earlier could have an even greater impact on longevity.

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