Relationship between Tongue Pressure and Upper- and Lower-Body Muscle Strength in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

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Abstract A decline in oral function, including tongue pressure, decreases physical function and increases the risk of physical frailty and hospitalization as well as mortality. Although no underlying mechanism has been determined for the relationship between decreased tongue pressure and muscle strength, their association is clear. Herein, we aimed to determine whether upper- or lower-body muscle strength is more strongly associated with tongue pressure in older adults. This cross-sectional study included community residents aged ≥65 years. Tongue pressure and grip strength were measured as upper limb muscle strength; knee extension muscle strength was measured as lower limb muscle strength. In addition, muscle mass in the limbs and trunk was evaluated, and demographic data were collected. Bayesian statistics were used for analysis using a linear regression model. Data were analyzed for 51 men (mean age [standard deviation], 77.94 [5.40] years) and 117 women (mean age [standard deviation], 77.28 [5.44] years). Tongue pressure in community-dwelling older adults with good physical function was strongly related to upper-body muscle strength in men (expected a posteriori = 0.51; 95% Bayesian credible interval: 0.19–0.84) and with lower-body muscle strength in women (expected a posteriori = 0.33; 95% Bayesian credible interval: 0.10–0.56). In summary, tongue pressure in community-dwelling older adults was strongly related to upper-body muscle strength in men and lower-body muscle strength in women. These associations should be investigated longitudinally to develop strategies to prevent tongue-pressure reduction in community-dwelling older adults.

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