The Roles of Body Composition and Specific Strength in the Relationship Between Race and Physical Performance in Older Adults.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Socioeconomics may explain black-white differences in physical performance; few studies examine racial differences among socioeconomically similar groups. Performance is also affected by body composition and specific strength, which differ by race. We assessed whether racial differences in physical performance exist among older adults with high education and similar income and whether body composition and specific strength attenuate observed differences.

Methods

Cross-sectional analysis of 536 men (18% black) and 576 women (28% black) aged more than 60 years from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. Body composition was evaluated using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Specific strength was assessed by quadricep peak torque divided by height-normalized thigh

SUBMITTER: Chiles Shaffer N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7062232 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature