Abstract
Aim: To study the relation between body composition and physical performance in elderly population.
.Methods: A cross sectional study conducted on 267 elderly participants 60 years old or more. All of them were subjected to assessment of body composition using anthropometric measures and Bioelectrical impedance analysis, as well as assessment of physical performance hand grip strength, 6 meters walking speed, Basic activity of daily living and Instrumental activity of daily living .
Results: Study showed that elderly participants either with low skeletal muscle mass index or high fat mass percentage measured by Bioelectrical Impedance have the lowest physical performance measures. Also increased age, smoking, institutionalization and malnutrition were associated with low physical performance.
Conclusions: low skeletal muscle mass index and high fat mass percentage were both risk factors of low physical performance measures. Combination of both showed the worst physical performance measures. Increasing age, institutionalization and low nutritional state were also independent risk factors of low physical performance in elderly