Vitamin D deficiency lowers physical performance in older adults.[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Older adults with low blood levels of vitamin D vitamin D Any of a group of fat-soluble alcohols important in calcium metabolism in animals to form strong bones and teeth and prevent rickets and osteoporosis. It is formed by ultraviolet radiation (sunlight) of sterols (see steroid) present in the skin. display decreased physical performance and hand grip strength hand grip strength Neurology A measure of muscle strength, evaluated with a Jamar dynamometer, often ↓ in older folks , according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. a recent study. * For some time, scientists have proposed that vitamin D may play an essential role in musculoskeletal musculoskeletal /mus·cu·lo·skel·e·tal/ (-skel´e-t'l) pertaining to or comprising the skeleton and muscles. mus·cu·lo·skel·e·tal adj. Relating to or involving the muscles and the skeleton. function. Investigators measured blood levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and assessed physical performance such as walking speed and hand grip strength in 976 men and women age 65 and older. The researchers found that 75% of the women and 51% of the men had low vitamin D levels. Twenty-nine percent of the women and 14% of the men were classifiable as vitamin D deficient. Physical performance and grip strength Grip strength is the force applied by the hand to pull on or suspend from objects. Optimum-sized objects permit the hand to wrap around a cylindrical shape with a diameter from one to three inches. of adults with low vitamin D levels was 5% to 10% below those who had vitamin D levels within the normal range. These findings suggest that ensuring optimal blood levels of vitamin D may be an essential strategy for protecting older adults against future disability. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Reference * Houston DK, Cesari M, Ferrucci L, et al. Association between vitamin D status and physical performance: The InCHIANTI Study. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2007 Apr;62(4):440-6. |
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