Muscle Function Loss and Gain of Body Weight during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Elderly Women: Effects of One Year of Lockdown

Abstract

This study aimed to screen for a one year Brazilian elderly women who were physically active before of COVID-19 pandemic-induced lockdown and to assess the consequences of physical inactivity on body weight and muscle function loss. A cohort study of one-year was conducted with twenty-nine physically active elderly (65.5±5.6y) women. Pre-assessment was took in December 2019 and post (a year later) was performed in January 2021, during the lockdown induced by COVID-19 pandemic. Body mass (kg) was obtained using the digital scale. Handgrip strength (HGS) of the non-dominant hand was determined using an electronic dynamometer. Muscle function loss was assessed using the SARC-F questionnaire. After one year, body weight (p=0.002) and BMI (p=0.001) increased significantly, with an average percentage of change in body mass of +3.0±5.2%. Consequently, there was a change in classification of BMI pre- and post-one year (malnutrition: 17.2% to 17.2%, normal weight: 41.4% to 37.9%, and overweight: 41.4% to 44.9%). Additionally, was found increased muscle function loss (SARC-F≥4) of 13.8% to 27.6% of elderly women. In Brazilian physically active elderly women, we found that the physical inactivity imposed by during the lockdown increased the body mass and muscle function loss.