Abstract
Older age is characterised by the increase of morbidities, such as cardiovascular
diseases, diabetes and more complex geriatric syndromes. A health domain of specific
interest in older adults is muscle status, which can be defined by the assessment
of muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance. Poor muscle status,
defined as limitations or deficits in muscle quality and quantity, may manifest before
actual disabilities are present. Therefore, the assessment of muscle status could
be used as a ‘signalling assessment’ to detect those individuals at risk for declining
functional performance and losing independence. These morbidities and geriatric
syndromes could be partly prevented, delayed or even treated by a healthy lifestyle,
e.g., by minimising sedentary behaviour (SB), participating in physical activity (PA)
and maintaining a healthy diet to preserve nutritional status. The aim of this thesis was
to address aspects of the relationships between objectively assessed (instrumented)
SB (i-SB) and PA (i-PA), nutritional status and muscle status in different older adult
populations: first, in relatively healthy older adults, and second in geriatric rehabilitation
inpatients. Understanding these interrelations could inform future intervention
studies on how to successfully preserve muscle status in older adults, which could be
considered a prerequisite for maintaining functional performance, independent living,
and thus actively participating in society.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Qualification | Dr. |
Awarding Institution |
|
Supervisors/Advisors |
|
Award date | 28 Oct 2021 |
Place of Publication | Amsterdam |
Publisher | |
Print ISBNs | 9789464234473 |
Publication status | Published - 28 Oct 2021 |
Keywords
- sedentary behaviour, physical activity, objective assessments, accelerometry, malnutrition, physical performance, muscle strength, gait speed, older adults, geriatric rehabilitation