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 < 0.0001). The deterioration of different tests of muscle function is significantly associated with age >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.