Association between the Mediterranean-style dietary pattern score and physical performance : results from TRELONG study

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between Mediterranean-Style Dietary Pattern Score and physical performance. DESIGN: Data analysis of a longitudinal study of a representative, age stratified, population sample. SETTING: The TREVISO LONGEVA (TRELONG) Study, in Treviso, Italy. PARTICIPANTS: In 2010, 123 men and 181 women, age 77 years and over (mean age 86.3 ± 6.8 years). MEASUREMENTS: Performing a logistic regression in a multivariate analysis, hand grip strength and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) were tested in relation to Mediterranean-Style Dietary Pattern Score (MSDPS). RESULTS: The hand grip mean value was 10.9 kg (± 9.5) and the SPPB score was 6.3 (± 3.8). The MSDPS mean value in this study sample was 38.1/100 (± 8.1). A significant association (p=0.036) between a high adherence to the Mediterranean diet (fourth quartile) and higher performance lower limbs (SPPB>7) was found. No correlation was reported for the hand grip strength. CONCLUSION: We found an association statistically significant between a high adherence to the Mediterranean diet and higher physical performance.