Prevalence and incidence of sarcopenia and low physical activity among community-dwelling older Thai people: a preliminary prospective cohort study 2-year follow-up

BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia, defined as a loss of muscle mass, has become a major health problem in older people. Few prospective studies report the incidence and risk of sarcopenia. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the prevalence of sarcopenia at the baseline and follow-up after 2 years in community-dwelling older Thai individuals. METHODS: In 2019, 330 older people were recruited from a community-dwelling population, and these participants were requested to present again in 2021. Sarcopenia was diagnosed using the criteria for the Asia Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS). All participants were asked to perform a 6-meter walk test, handgrip strength test, and bioelectric impedance assessment, and complete the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. RESULTS: The study found that the prevalence of sarcopenia was 65 (19.70%) in 330 older people in 2019, and 44 of 205 participants (21.46%) were reported to have sarcopenia after 2 years. The incidence of sarcopenia was noted to be 2.44% in 2021. Analysis with ANOVA and pairwise comparisons showed that the reversibility of sarcopenia was attributed to high level of physical activity in the 2-year follow-up group (p = 0.014, 95% CI [−1753.25–−195.49]). Further, participants with moderate and high physical activity had a reduced incidence of sarcopenia (odds ratio = 9.00 and 14.47, respectively). Therefore, low physical activity in older people led to the development of sarcopenia from the baseline to the 2-year follow-up, indicating that increased physical activity may be useful in reversing sarcopenia, as suggested in the 2-year follow-up study. Low physical activity could be a risk factor for the incidence of sarcopenia. Hence, the prevention of sarcopenia could promote health improvement through moderate to high physical activity.