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After middle age, adults lose approximately 3% of their muscle strength every year on average. A recent study has found an association between vitamin D deficiency and impaired muscle strength and performance.
The researchers analyzed data from the English Longitudinal Study of Aging, which included 4,157 adults over the age of 60. Serum levels of vitamin D were measured, and a concentration of less than 30 nmo/L was classified as deficient. Muscle strength and physical function were assessed using the handgrip strength test and the Short Physical Performance Battery.
Participants with vitamin D deficiency were found to have muscle weakness that was twice as high (40.4%) as participants with vitamin D levels that were greater than or equal to 50 nmo/L (21.6%). Participants with vitamin D deficiency also had low handgrip strength and poor physical performance.
The study was conducted by researchers from Trinity College Dublin. It was published on October 15, 2019 in the journal Clinical Interventions in Ageing.