Image Illustration by AI

FORMOSA NEWS - Bangka Tengah - As humans step into their golden years, the body undergoes inevitable physiological transformations. One of the most silent yet significant threats during this period is sarcopenia—a geriatric syndrome characterized by a progressive decline in muscle mass and strength. Addressing this critical phenomenon, a recent study was conducted by Tariqul Ardi and Adzkia Risky Al Insyiraah from Universitas Yarsi in late 2024 within the working area of the Sungai Selan District Public Health Center, Central Bangka Regency. Published in 2026, the study explicitly reveals that low physical activity levels and high body fat percentages share a highly significant relationship with early indicators (probable cases) of sarcopenia among older adults.

Sarcopenia is far from just a normal consequence of aging; it is a critical health condition that directly impairs an individual's quality of life. A severe reduction in muscle mass heavily escalates the risk of sudden falls, physical disabilities, bone fractures, and a profound loss of daily independence. Globally, the population of older adults aged 60 and above is projected to skyrocket from 1.4 billion in 2020 to 2.1 billion by 2050. In Indonesia, this demographic shift is already visible, with eight provinces recording an elderly population that exceeds 10 percent of their total residents. Consequently, early detection and a thorough understanding of manageable risk factors like body composition and physical movement are vital to mitigating future healthcare and economic burdens.

Simple Methodology and Targeted Population Approach

This research utilized a cross-sectional design paired with a consecutive sampling technique, analyzing a total of 102 participants aged over 50 within the Sungai Selan community. To ensure maximum data accuracy, the researchers excluded elderly individuals suffering from severe chronic illnesses, including stroke, COPD, heart failure, kidney failure, and acute musculoskeletal disorders.

Field data collection was carried out firsthand via direct interviews and physical measurements using three globally recognized diagnostic instruments:

  1. SARC-F Questionnaire: Used as a rapid screening tool to detect early muscle wasting and functional degradation based on five core criteria: strength, assistance in walking, rising from a chair, climbing stairs, and history of falls.
  2. IPAQ Short Form (International Physical Activity Questionnaire): Deployed to track, categorize, and quantify the daily physical activity of the participants in MET-minutes/week.
  3. Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA): A modern, non-invasive body composition analyzer used to safely determine exact body fat and muscle mass percentages by measuring mild electrical tissue resistance.
  4. Hand Dynamometer: A mechanical device used to quickly evaluate hand grip strength, serving as a reliable proxy for overall skeletal muscle strength.

All collected data were quantitatively analyzed using bivariate correlation tests via SPSS software to map out the explicit relationships between each health variable.

Main Findings: The Domino Effect of Fat Accumulation

Demographic data showed that the majority of the participants were female (59.80%), with the highest age concentration falling within the 50–60 years bracket (62.74%). The clinical assessments on the ground yielded several pivotal findings:

  • High Traditional Physical Activity: Approximately 75.49% of the elderly in Sungai Selan recorded heavy physical activity levels, averaging 7138.3 MET-minutes/week. This trend is heavily driven by local socio-economic factors, as the majority of the respondents earn their living as farmers and laborers in palm oil factories.
  • Inverse Correlation Between Fat and Muscle: Statistical tests demonstrated a highly significant negative correlation between body fat percentage and muscle mass percentage (p < 0.001). This proves that as fat mass accumulates in aging bodies, the overall percentage of skeletal muscle drastically deteriorates. This fat accumulation frequently results in "fatty infiltration" into skeletal muscle tissue, a process triggered by biological aging and age-related insulin resistance.
  • Grip Strength Linked to SARC-F Scores: A highly significant negative correlation was found between hand grip strength and the SARC-F screening score (p < 0.001). Older adults who retained normal hand grip strength demonstrated notably lower risks on the sarcopenia scale, reflecting superior physical functionality.
  • High Prevalence of Probable Sarcopenia Indicators: When focusing solely on muscle strength parameters, a staggering 80.39% of participants exhibited symptoms of probable sarcopenia. Meanwhile, the SARC-F questionnaire successfully flagged 8.82% of the elderly as confirmed cases of probable sarcopenia.

Even though general physical activity was remarkably high due to manual labor, the researchers noted that a lack of structured resistance training or periods of sedentary behavior still left the elderly highly vulnerable to muscle quality degradation.

Implications for Public Health and Public Policy

The outcomes of this study hold massive implications for public health frameworks and preventative medical policies in Indonesia. The undeniable link between fat accumulation and muscle degradation underscores that elderly health interventions must pivot from merely tracking basic macronutrient intake toward managing balanced, healthy body compositions.

For primary healthcare providers like local public health centers (Puskesmas), this research proves the urgent need for accessible, objective screening tools. The authors suggest that diagnostic parameters recommended by the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS 2019) should be widely adopted and institutionalized across Indonesia to eliminate subjective screening errors. Furthermore, for the general public and the wellness industry, daily exercise routines for the aging population must be intentionally redesigned to include resistance and strength training rather than just routine chores, effectively boosting muscle anabolism and halting hazardous fat infiltration.

Author Profiles

Tariqul Ardi, S.Ked. – Lead researcher from the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Yarsi. His expertise centers on geriatric health analytics, community medicine, and the management of screening methods for degenerative diseases in older adults.

Adzkia Risky Al Insyiraah – Co-researcher from Universitas Yarsi. She specializes in epidemiological data processing, bioimpedance-based body composition analysis, and evaluating physical activity models in vulnerable populations.

Research Source

Journal Article Title: The Relationship between Physical Activity and Fat Percentage Towards Probable Indicators of Sarcopenia in the Elderly in the Working Area of the Sungai Selan District Public Health Center

Journal Name: Asian Journal of Healthcare Analytics (AJHA)
Publication Year: 2026 (Vol. 5, No. 1, Pages 297-308)
Official DOI: https://doi.org/10.55927/ajha.v5i1.16079