Age-related physiological alterations to muscles and joints and potential exercise interventions for their...

This review article presents some general concepts related to the study of human aging that have specific implications for the maintenance or the development of improved muscular fitness in the elderly. Normal age-related alterations in muscle tissue, muscle function, and joint articulation, as well as possible mechanisms for these changes are presented and the current literature dealing with the use of exercise interventions to help stop or slow down the normal aging process is also summarized. Suggestions for basic evaluation and programming design are presented that address the needs of the older population.