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Published on: July 5, 2017
Sarcopenia and age-related changes in body composition and functional capacity
1Human Physiology Laboratory, USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111.
The Journal of Nutrition
|February 1, 1993
Summary
Aging leads to muscle loss (sarcopenia), decreasing strength and increasing disease risk. Regular exercise, particularly resistance training, can prevent sarcopenia and improve health and independence in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Exercise Physiology
- Metabolic Health
Background:
- Advancing adult age is characterized by significant body composition changes.
- Sarcopenia, the age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass, is a prominent change.
- Sarcopenia is linked to reduced strength, aerobic capacity, bone mineral density, and increased body fat.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the impact of aging on body composition and muscle mass.
- To emphasize the role of physical exercise in preventing age-related decline.
- To discuss exercise as a non-pharmacological intervention for elderly health.
Main Methods:
- Review of literature on aging, body composition, and sarcopenia.
- Focus on the benefits of physical exercise, particularly resistance training.
- Discussion of exercise parameters (frequency, intensity, duration).
Main Results:
- Physical exercise, especially resistance training, can prevent sarcopenia.
- Exercise can improve muscle strength and endurance at any age.
- Exercise can mitigate associated conditions like type II diabetes, hypertension, and obesity.
Conclusions:
- Exercise is a powerful tool to combat age-related muscle loss and functional decline.
- Resistance training is effective in preserving muscle mass and strength in older adults.
- Exercise offers a promising, non-pharmacological approach to enhance health and independence in the elderly.
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