Leukocyte telomere length in the elderly has been positively associated with healthy living and physical activity. Factors that interfere with telomere shortening are similar to those that may be associated with decreasing functional capacity. To investigate the relationship between mean leukocyte telomere length and functional capacity in community-dwelling elderly individuals, this is an observational, cross sectional, multicentric study conducted with elderly Brazilian patients. Sample characterization was performed using a sociodemographic clinical questionnaire. Telomere length was evaluated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and functional capacity was evaluated by the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). A total of 113 elderly individuals (age 70 ± 5.4 years; 75 women and 38 men) were enrolled in this study. Unexpectedly, it was found that lower relative telomere length was associated with better physical capacity in the global SPPB score. Although telomere shortening is observed with increasing age, it is not associated with decreased functional capacity. Functionality is broad and multidimensional, involving the connection of biopsychosocial and cultural factors. While functionality may not be considered a marker of functional aging in an elderly cohort, it can still play an important role in longitudinal studies, which attempt to elucidate process theories. Future studies should use different techniques to measure telomere lengths in subpopulations of cells.

中文翻译：

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白细胞端粒长度是否与老年人身体机能下降有关？

老年人的白细胞端粒长度与健康的生活和身体活动呈正相关。干扰端粒缩短的因素与可能与功能能力下降有关的因素相似。为了研究社区老年人的平均白细胞端粒长度与功能能力之间的关系，这是一项对巴西老年患者进行的观察性、横断面、多中心研究。使用社会人口学临床问卷进行样本表征。端粒长度通过定量聚合酶链反应进行评估，功能容量通过短物理性能电池 (SPPB) 进行评估。共有 113 名老年人（年龄 70 ± 5.4 岁；75 名女性和 38 名男性）参加了这项研究。不料，结果发现，在全球 SPPB 评分中，较低的相对端粒长度与更好的身体能力相关。尽管随着年龄的增长观察到端粒缩短，但它与功能能力下降无关。功能是广泛和多维的，涉及生物心理社会和文化因素的联系。虽然功能在老年人群中可能不被视为功能老化的标志，但它仍然可以在试图阐明过程理论的纵向研究中发挥重要作用。未来的研究应该使用不同的技术来测量细胞亚群中的端粒长度。它与功能能力下降无关。功能是广泛和多维的，涉及生物心理社会和文化因素的联系。虽然功能在老年人群中可能不被视为功能老化的标志，但它仍然可以在试图阐明过程理论的纵向研究中发挥重要作用。未来的研究应该使用不同的技术来测量细胞亚群中的端粒长度。它与功能能力下降无关。功能是广泛和多维的，涉及生物心理社会和文化因素的联系。虽然功能在老年人群中可能不被视为功能老化的标志，但它仍然可以在试图阐明过程理论的纵向研究中发挥重要作用。未来的研究应该使用不同的技术来测量细胞亚群中的端粒长度。