Required muscle mass for preventing lifestyle-related diseases in Japanese women
2008

Required Muscle Mass for Preventing Diseases in Japanese Women

Sample size: 403 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Miyatani Masae, Kawano Hiroshi, Masani Kei, Gando Yuko, Yamamoto Kenta, Tanimoto Michiya, Oh Taewoong, Usui Chiyoko, Sanada Kiyoshi, Higuchi Mitsuru, Tabata Izumi, Miyachi Motohiko

Primary Institution: Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto

Hypothesis

A certain level of muscle mass is required to maintain sufficient cardiovascular fitness and could be a limiting factor of age-related Vo2max attenuation.

Conclusion

The required muscle mass of 28.5% per body weight can be used as a reference parameter of fitness level in Japanese women.

Supporting Evidence

  • The mean required muscle mass was found to be 28.5% of body weight.
  • A strong correlation was observed between muscle mass and Vo2max.
  • 68% of subjects met the required muscle mass, but this decreased with age.

Takeaway

Japanese women need to have about 28.5% of their body weight as muscle to stay healthy and avoid diseases.

Methodology

The study involved 403 Japanese women aged 20-69, using regression analysis to determine the required muscle mass for maintaining Vo2max reference values.

Potential Biases

The study may not be applicable to men or other racial groups, limiting generalizability.

Limitations

The study's cross-sectional design limits the ability to establish causation between required muscle mass and lifestyle-related disease morbidity or mortality.

Participant Demographics

Japanese women aged 20 to 69 years.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.0001

Statistical Significance

p<0.0001

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-2458-8-291

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