Skeletal Muscle Function Deficits in the Elderly: Current Perspectives on Resistance Training

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Skeletal Muscle Physiology
• Exercise Science

Background:

• Sarcopenia, the age-associated loss of muscle mass, significantly contributes to musculoskeletal impairments in the elderly.
• Historically, sarcopenia definitions focused on muscle size, but recent evidence links low muscle mass to weakness and disability in older adults.
• Current trends emphasize broader definitions of muscle loss that incorporate declines in physical function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review skeletal muscle function deficits in the elderly.
• To explore how resistance training can ameliorate age-associated muscle function deficits.
• To provide recommendations for clinical geriatric practice regarding resistance training.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on aging, sarcopenia, and skeletal muscle function.
• Analysis of evidence linking muscle mass, weakness, and functional decline.
• Examination of the effects of resistance training on age-related muscle deficits.

Main Results:

• Skeletal muscle deficits in aging arise from intrinsic changes, including reduced fiber size and decreased satellite cell and fiber numbers.
• Reduced expression of myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform IIa is implicated in age-associated muscle dysfunction.
• Resistance training is effective in attenuating age-related skeletal muscle function deficits.

Conclusions:

• Skeletal muscle function deficits are a critical component of aging and sarcopenia.
• Resistance training offers a viable strategy to counteract age-associated declines in muscle function and disability.
• Clinicians should encourage older adults to engage in resistance training, progressing from inactivity to recommended levels.