Relationship Between Sarcopenia and Cognitive Function in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Year 2026, Volume: 13 Issue: 1 , 185 - 196 , 30.04.2026

Onur Altuntaş , Medine Nur Özata Değerli

https://doi.org/10.21020/husbfd.1713453

https://izlik.org/JA78TZ42LH

Abstract

Objectives: Sarcopenia, known as muscle bulk and strength loss, along with cognitive impairment, are frequently observed in the aging population. Although both conditions are prevalent, their potential interplay has not yet been clearly defined. It was aimed to explore the link between sarcopenia and cognitive functions in the older adult population.
Materials and Methods: Fifty-five older adults with an average age of 73.34 ± 6.65 participated in the study. While cognitive functions were examined using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the risk of sarcopenia was determined using the Sarcopenia Screening Questionnaire (SARC-F). Additionally, functional mobility and hand grip strength were measured using the “Timed Up and Go (TUG)” test and the “Four-Meter Walk Test”.
Results: Of the participants, 56.4% exhibited cognitive impairment, and 52.7% were at risk of sarcopenia. Correlation analysis revealed significant relationships between MMSE scores and SARC-F (r=-0.741), dominant (r=0.577) and non-dominant grip strength (r=0.549), the TUG test (r=-0.714), and the Four-Meter Walk Test (r=-0.752) (p<0.001).
Conclusion: The findings underline the value of incorporating assessments of both sarcopenia and cognitive function in the comprehensive evaluation of older adults.

Keywords

congition , older adults , sarcopenia

Ethical Statement

The Declaration of Helsinki conducted the study, and ethical approval was obtained from the Hacettepe University Non-Interventional Ethics Committee with decision number 2022-03/23 and research code GO 22/71.

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