A new study from the University of New Hampshire reveals that overweight older women have significantly less leg strength and power than women of normal weight. This puts them at a higher risk of disability and loss of independence. The study, published in the Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, challenges the long-held belief that frail, underweight elderly individuals are at the highest risk of disability.
Lead author Dain LaRoche, an assistant professor of kinesiology at UNH, explains that while the focus has typically been on thin elderly individuals, the reality is different. With two-thirds of Americans either overweight or obese and the elderly population expected to double by 2030, more people may face disability due to the combined effects of weight gain and muscle loss.
LaRoche, along with two undergraduate students, Rachel Kralian and Erica Millet, studied how excess weight affects leg strength, walking speed, and power—key factors for everyday tasks like rising from a chair or climbing stairs. The study found little difference in the absolute strength between overweight and normal-weight participants. However, when comparing the strength-to-weight ratio, overweight women were 24% weaker than those of normal weight.
The study also found that the overweight women had 38% less power than their normal-weight counterparts. Power is crucial because it measures how quickly strength is applied, which directly impacts mobility and fall risk. In addition, the overweight participants walked about 20% slower than the normal-weight group.
LaRoche points out that the extra fat carried by overweight individuals is limiting their mobility. He emphasizes that maintaining a normal body weight helps older adults stay independent and perform daily activities for longer.
Based on these findings, LaRoche advises older adults to focus on maintaining their weight and strength. For those who are overweight, improving strength-to-weight ratio can be achieved through weight loss or, surprisingly, through strength training. LaRoche’s research suggests that gaining strength may be easier than losing weight, and even the oldest individuals can see significant improvements with consistent exercise.
This study marks LaRoche’s first exploration of the impact of obesity on the elderly, although he has been studying the effects of strength and exercise for years. He concludes that the
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