The Korean Journal of Sports Medicine  2010;28(1):44-49

Relationship of C-Reactive Protein to Muscle Strength in Elderly Men: A Cross-Sectional Study in Korea.

Do Kyung KIM 1 ; Won Hah PARK

Affiliations

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Keywords

C-reactive protein; Muscle strength; Aging

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

Korean

Abstract

Decline in muscle mass and muscle strength characterizes normal aging. As clinical studies show a relationship between high C-reactive protein (CRP) level and low muscle mass. The aim of this study was to investigate whether CRP level of inflammatory markers is associated with muscle strength in older persons by cross-sectional analysis with a sample 170 elderly men. We measured CRP levels, included isokinetic knee extensor strength and isometric back extensor strength among the subjects. Lower extremity strength (Isokinetic test) and lumber extensor muscle strength (Isometric test). From the result of this study, higher CRP level was generally associated with lower muscle strength and was significantly correlated with knee extensor strength and knee flexor strength (r=-0.353, r=-0.342, respectively). It was moderately correlated with lumbar extensor muscle strength (r=-0.233, p=0.05). After adjustment for covariates, higher CRP level was associated with knee strength and back extensor strength. Higher CRP level were generally associated with muscle strength in older men. Higher CRP level may contribute to the loss of muscle mass and strength that accompanies aging.