There have been relatively fewer studies about the age-related decline in the upper limbs.

Walking is a basic requirement for independent living, thus most studies have focused on the change of lower limbs with aging ( 3). Older adults people with less muscle might have a higher risk of disability. It is defined by the loss of muscle mass, and decreases in muscle strength and physical performance ( 1, 2). Sarcopenia is an adverse change in muscle across the whole lifetime, especially in older age. In older age, fat mass of upper limbs increased in men, but not in women.Ĭonclusion: Daily activities can maintain better muscle function in the dominant upper limb than in the non-dominant side however, the delaying effect on age-related decline in muscle function was limited. The difference in muscle strength and lean mass between the two upper limbs decreased with the advanced age. Results: The dominant upper limb had better muscle strength, lean mass, bone area and bone mineral content than the non-dominant side. The results were compared between the dominant and non-dominant upper limbs. Muscle strength was assessed using a handgrip dynamometer, lean mass, fat mass, bone area and bone mineral content of upper limbs were assessed using dual-energy X ray-absorptiometry. Methods: Five hundred and twenty-six healthy adults were recruited from the community in Beijing. Humans always use one dominant hand to perform tasks, providing a natural situation for research on the effect of daily activities on muscle function. 2School of Science, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Chongqing, Chinaīackground: Any form of physical activity is recommended for the older adults to maintain their physical function however, the effect of daily activities on muscle function still needs to be investigated.1The Key Laboratory of Geriatrics, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology of National Health Commission, Beijing, China.Jing Pang 1 * Fuyi Tu 2 Yiwen Han 1 Enyi Zhang 1 Yan Zhang 1 Tiemei Zhang 1 *

Mass daily numbers