Muscle changes in aging: understanding sarcopenia
Patrick N Siparsky1, Donald T Kirkendall2, William E Garrett1
1Sports Medicine Section, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina.
Sports Health
|January 16, 2014
Summary
Aging athletes face muscle loss (sarcopenia), impacting activity and life quality. This review explores muscle changes, contributing factors like nutrition and hormones, and potential drug treatments for this condition.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Sports Medicine
- Muscle Physiology
Background:
- Muscle physiology in aging athletes is complex, with sarcopenia (age-related lean muscle mass decrease) significantly affecting activity and quality of life.
- Understanding these changes is crucial for maintaining health and performance in older athletes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the microscopic and macroscopic changes in muscle associated with aging in athletes.
- To identify key contributing factors, such as nutrition and hormonal shifts.
- To explore potential pharmacologic agents currently in clinical trials for managing age-related muscle loss.
Main Methods:
- This is a review article.
- Evidence Level 5.
Main Results:
- The review details the multifaceted physiological alterations in muscle tissue occurring with advanced age.
- It highlights the significant roles of nutritional status and hormonal fluctuations in exacerbating muscle decline.
- Emerging pharmacologic interventions show promise in clinical trials.
Conclusions:
- Age-related muscle loss in athletes is a complex issue with significant health implications.
- Addressing factors like nutrition and hormones, alongside exploring new treatments, is vital.
- Pharmacologic agents in development may offer new avenues for managing sarcopenia in aging athletes.
Related Concept Videos
01:19The Effect of Aging on Tissues
3.6K
Several body functions deteriorate with age. The external signs of aging are easily identifiable. For example, the skin becomes dry, less elastic, and thins out, forming wrinkles. The skin of the face begins to appear looser due to a decrease in the levels of elastic and collagen fibers in the connective tissue. Additionally, melanin production in the hair follicle decreases with age, resulting in gray hair. Moreover, the senses of sight and hearing decline, so glasses and hearing aids may...
3.6K
01:29Bone Disorders
8.0K
Aging and its effect on bone remodeling is the most common cause of bone disorders. In young and healthy people, bone deposition and resorption happen at an equal rate to maintain optimal bone health.
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
8.0K
01:09Changes in the Appendicular Skeleton with Age
3.2K
The upper and lower limb initially develops as a small bulge called a limb bud, which appears on the lateral side of the early embryo. The upper limb bud appears near the end of the fourth week of development, with the lower limb bud appearing shortly after.
Initially, the limb buds consist of a core of mesenchyme covered by a layer of ectoderm. The ectoderm at the end of the limb bud thickens to form a narrow crest called the apical ectodermal ridge. This ridge stimulates the underlying...
Initially, the limb buds consist of a core of mesenchyme covered by a layer of ectoderm. The ectoderm at the end of the limb bud thickens to form a narrow crest called the apical ectodermal ridge. This ridge stimulates the underlying...
3.2K
01:26Cross-bridge Cycle
108.8K
As muscle contracts, the overlap between the thin and thick filaments increases, decreasing the length of the sarcomere—the contractile unit of the muscle—using energy in the form of ATP. At the molecular level, this is a cyclic, multistep process that involves binding and hydrolysis of ATP, and movement of actin by myosin.
108.8K
01:11Alterations in Muscle Tone lll
29
Rigidity and myotonia are distinct abnormalities of muscle tone that affect resistance and relaxation during movement. Although both involve altered muscle contraction, they arise from different neurological and muscular mechanisms.CharacteristicsRigidity is characterized by uniform resistance to passive movement across the entire range, independent of speed, affecting flexors and extensors equally. It may appear as lead-pipe rigidity (smooth, constant resistance) or cogwheel rigidity...
29
01:23Cellular Adaptation I: Introduction and Atrophy
70
Cells can adapt to environmental changes to maintain function and avoid injury, a process called cellular adaptation. Adapted cells exist in a reversible intermediate state with changes in size, number, phenotype, metabolism, or function. These responses help cells meet altered physiological or pathological demands; for example, enlargement of breast and uterine tissues during pregnancy. Early adaptations may enhance function, but persistent stress eventually causes tissue damage.Types of...
70