Cut-off points of knee extension strength allometrically adjusted to identify sarcopenia risk in older adults: A cross-sectional study

PURPOSE: Handgrip strength used to identify sarcopenia is not representative of overall strength, especially as greater muscle volume and consequent autonomy-mobility are concentrated in the lower limbs. While absolute strength or relative to body mass is used to define sarcopenia, this relationship is not always linear. The aim of this study was to establish allometrically adjusted cut-off points of lower limb (quadriceps) muscle strength to identify sarcopenia risk in older adults. METHODS: ). Cut-off points for sarcopenia from 1RM were defined with ROC curve and Youden index with functional limitation (walking distance<400 m). Analyzes considered sex (α = 5%). CONCLUSIONS: 1RM of knee extension scaled by body mass or allometrically adjusted is an effective parameter to identify sarcopenia in older adults. The proposed cut-off points could be used to monitor sarcopenia risk in geriatrics.