Leg-press strength plus nutritional index and 16-year mortality in older Japanese adults
In 1065 community-dwelling Japanese adults aged 70 or older, low directly measured leg-press strength and poor nutritional status (GNRI) were each linked to higher all-cause mortality over 16 years; combining both improved risk stratification. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
The Tsurugaya Project followed 1065 community-dwelling Japanese people aged 70 or older for 16 years, with baseline leg-press strength and GNRI classifications. [1]
During follow-up 415 deaths occurred; low leg-press strength and poor GNRI were each independently associated with higher all-cause mortality (adjusted HR 1.81 and 1.59). [1]
Combining muscle strength with nutrition in the MS-GNRI score enhanced mortality risk stratification, according to the authors. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Observational cohort study (abstract).
- Population / context
- 1065 community-dwelling Japanese adults aged 70 or older (Tsurugaya Project).
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- October 1, 2026
Tsurugaya cohort: leg-press strength and nutrition over 16 years
The study analysed data from 1065 Japanese people living in the community, all aged 70 or older, from the Tsurugaya Project. They were followed for 16 years. At baseline, participants were split into high and low groups by directly measured leg-press strength adjusted for body size, and into poor and good groups by the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), a nutritional measure. These baseline classifications were then combined into four groups: high-strength/good-GNRI, high-strength/poor-GNRI, low-strength/good-GNRI and low-strength/poor-GNRI. The authors note that few studies have examined directly measured leg-press strength, which involves most major leg muscles of both legs and a larger muscle volume than handgrip or quadriceps strength.
Supporting source [1]
415 deaths; low strength and poor GNRI each linked to higher mortality
During follow-up, 415 deaths occurred. Low leg-press strength and poor GNRI were each independently associated with higher all-cause mortality than high strength and good GNRI, respectively. The adjusted hazard ratios were 1.81 (95% confidence interval 1.45–2.25) for low strength and 1.59 (1.30–1.95) for poor GNRI. A hazard ratio compares how often an outcome occurs over time between groups; a value above 1 means more deaths in that group. These are associations from an observational cohort, not proof that strength or nutrition causes or prevents death.
Supporting source [1]
Combined MS-GNRI improved stratification; abstract-only limits
Integrating muscle strength with nutrition in the MS-GNRI score enhanced mortality risk stratification, the authors report. They suggest that preserved muscle strength may substantially contribute to longevity alongside nutritional maintenance. However, this is an abstract only; the full text was not reviewed. The abstract does not report how much the combined score improved prediction, nor whether the four groups differed significantly from one another. It also does not give details on how strength was measured, on other factors adjusted for, or on causes of death. The findings describe associations in one older Japanese community cohort and cannot establish cause.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
Abstract only; the full text was not reviewed. The abstract does not report how much the combined score improved prediction, whether the four groups differed significantly, measurement details, other adjusted factors or causes of death. Observational associations cannot establish cause.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Du Y, Okazaki T, Li X, Obata K, Suzuki N, Miura T, Miyagi M, Nagatomi R, Kogure M, Nakaya N, Hozawa A, Ebihara S. · europepmc.org · October 1, 2026