According to recent research, by measuring the circumference of the calf it is possible to understand whether one is aging well and, above all, what life expectancies are for the elderly.
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There calf circumference is emerging as an important indicator of health and longevity for the elderly, particularly after 80 years of age. According to recent research, a measurement of less than 30 cm in men and 28 cm in women triples the risk of mortality in the following ten years.
This is because a reduced calf circumference is a sign of loss of muscle massan aging-related problem that can have negative effects on cognitive, cardiovascular, respiratory and immune system abilities.
Having adequate muscle mass, in fact, reduces the risk of falls, disability and chronic diseases, significantly improving the quality of life.
The study
In the study conducted in the Sirente region (L’Aquila), researchers analyzed the effect of calf circumference on the risk of mortality in the following 10 years. They involved 364 local octogenarians, divided into two groups based on calf size, and monitored them for a decade.
The data highlighted that the85.3% of people with insufficient circumference died, compared to 65.1% of those who had an adequate size. Francesco Landi, director of the Aging Sciences Department at the Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS in Rome, underlines that calf circumference is a strong indicator of muscular condition and longevity.
Another study, yet to be published and conducted on a sample of 2,000 Italian elderly people over 70, demonstrates that sleep deprivation negatively affects muscle protein synthesiscontributing to mass loss. To counteract this, Landi recommends physical activity, which can mitigate the effects of insufficient sleep on metabolism and support muscle maintenance.
Experts recommend measuring the circumference of the right calf while sitting, at the point of maximum circumference. A measurement greater than 35 cm for men and 33 cm for women is associated with good muscular health and a 70% reduced risk of mortality in the following ten years.
Furthermore, a measuring tape has been developed which, considering age and gender, helps to evaluate whether muscle mass is adequate for healthy aging.
In addition to the calf circumference, also the quality of sleep significantly affects muscle mass. Recent studies show that poor sleep can increase the risk of sarcopenia (loss of muscle mass) up to 40%, worsening the general state of health.
What to do? Targeted interventions such as regular physical activity and muscle-strengthening programs can help prevent muscle decline and improve your health outlook.
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