Ageing, obesity and the metabolic syndrome (MetS) may all contribute to poor muscle health (sarcopenia). This study aimed to determine the cross-sectional associations between MetS (International Diabetes Federation classification) and sarcopenia (revised European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People definition) in 84 overweight and obese older adults. Components of sarcopenia included muscle strength (hand grip and leg extension), physical performance (stair climb test and short physical performance battery (SPPB), including gait speed and repeated chair stands time), muscle mass (appendicular lean mass (ALM), dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), muscle size (peripheral quantitative computed tomography-determined calf and forearm cross-sectional area (CSA)) and muscle quality (muscle density and strength normalised to lean mass). Waist circumference was associated with greater muscle size, but poorer leg extension strength, chair stands and stair climb time, gait speed, SPPB scores and muscle quality measures (all p < 0.05). MetS was positively associated with ALM and forearm muscle CSA, and negatively associated with muscle quality measures and chair stands time (all p < 0.05). MetS is associated with larger muscle size, yet poorer muscle quality in overweight and obese older adults. Assessments of muscle function and quality should be considered for obese older adults and those with MetS.
Keywords: metabolic syndrome; obesity; older adults; sarcopenia.