Muscle Function: Effects of Aging
Original Editor - Wendy Walker
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Introduction[edit | edit source]
As we age our muscles undergo progressive changes, primarily involving loss of muscle mass and strength.
The age-related loss of muscle function is known as Sarcopenia[1], derived from the Greek words for flesh (sarcos) and loss (penia) and its definition includes loss of muscle strength and power, as well as reduced function[2]. It occurs with increasing age, and is a major component in the development of frailty.
The loss of muscle mass during the aging process is important clinically as it reduces strength and exercise capacity, both which are needed to perform activities of daily living.
[edit | edit source]
Gross Muscle changes:[edit | edit source]
- Reduced muscle mass (replaced by increased fat mass)
- Reduced muscle strength
- Slowing on contractile properties and rate of force development
Muscle Fibre changes:[edit | edit source]
- Atrophy
- Fibre necrosis
- Fibre type regrouping
Effects of endocrine changes on muscle[edit | edit source]
With increased age, the following changes in endocrine function result in sarcopenia:
- Increased insulin resistance
- Decreased growth hormone[4]
- Reduction in oestrogen and testosterone[5]
- Vitamin D deficiency[6]
- Increased parathyroid hormone[7]
Conditions associated with impairment of skeletal function[edit | edit source]
- Diabetes
- Metabolic syndrome
- Chronic Obstructive Airways Disease (COPD)
- Congestive Cardiac Failure
- Osteoarthritis
- Parkinsons
- Cancer
- Stroke
Physiotherapy Interventions to minimise or reverse sarcopenia[edit | edit source]
Recent Related Research (from Pubmed)[edit | edit source]
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References[edit | edit source]
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- ↑ Rosenberg IH: Sarcopenia: origins and clinical relevance. J Nutr 127:990S-991S, 1997
- ↑ Rolland Y, Czerwinski S, Abellan Van Kan G, et al: Sarcopenia: its assessment, etiology, pathogenesis, consequences and future perspectives. J Nutr Health Aging 12:433-450, 200
- ↑ Short KR, Nair KS: The effect of age on protein metabolism. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care 3:39-44, 2000
- ↑ Toogood AA: Growth hormone (GH) status and body composition in normal ageing and in elderly adults with GH deficiency. Horm Res 60:105-111, 2003
- ↑ Gower BA, Nyman L: Associations among oral estrogen use, free testosterone concentration, and lean body mass among postmenopausal women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 85:4476-4480, 200
- ↑ Wicherts IS, van Schoor NM, Boeke AJ, et al: Vitamin D status predicts physical performance and its decline in older persons. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 92:2058-2065, 200
- ↑ Visser M, Deeg DJ, Lips P: Low vitamin D and high parathyroid hormone levels as determinants of loss of muscle strength and muscle mass (sarcopenia): the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 88:5766-5772, 200
