Evaluación de la fuerza muscular y la composición corporal en adultos mayores que asisten al Centro Gerontológico Dr. Arsenio de la Torre Marcillo.

Abstract

According to the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses (INEC), the older adult population in Ecuador has experienced sustained growth in recent years, reflecting a process of progressive aging within the country's demographic structure. The objective of the present study was to assess muscle strength, body composition, and functional status in older adults attending the Dr. Arsenio de la Torre Marcillo Gerontological Center in Guayaquil. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted on a predominantly female sample (91.4%), with a mean age of 74.2 years. Furthermore, an average body fat percentage of 40.9% was observed, indicating a high accumulation of adipose tissue. Regarding skeletal muscle percentage, the average was 31.2%, reflecting a reduction in muscle mass. Visceral fat averaged 11.3 points—reaching values as high as 22 points—suggesting an accumulation of abdominal fat. A mean strength score of 0.21 (with a median of 0) was observed, indicating that at least half of the older adults evaluated exhibited an absence of, or very low levels of, muscle strength according to the assessment instrument used. The study results suggest that the older adults examined exhibit significant alterations in their physical composition, evidenced by an increased body fat percentage, a reduction in muscle mass, and the presence of functional limitations.