Sarcopenia is a condition characterized by the degenerative loss of skeletal muscle mass, quality, and strength that occurs with aging and/or immobility. It is a major public health concern given the increased longevity of industrialized populations and growing geriatric population. Sarcopenia is a predictor of many adverse outcomes including increased disability, falls, and mortality. The rate of muscle loss is dependent on exercise level, co-morbidities, and other factors.
Symptoms of sarcopenia include muscle weakness, loss of stamina, difficulty performing daily activities, walking slowly, trouble climbing stairs, poor balance and falls, and decrease in muscle size. The most common cause of sarcopenia is aging, which leads to changes in certain hormones like testosterone and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) that affect muscle fibers. Other factors that contribute to sarcopenia include physical inactivity, reduction in nerve cells responsible for sending signals from the brain to the muscles to start movement, lower concentrations of some hormones, and not getting enough calories or protein each day to sustain muscle mass.
Sarcopenia can greatly impact quality of life by reducing the ability to perform daily tasks, leading to loss of independence and the need for long-term care. It can also lead to increased frailty, falls, fractures, hospitalizations, and surgeries, which increase the risk of complications including death.
The primary treatment for sarcopenia is exercise, specifically resistance training or strength training, which increases muscle strength and endurance using weights or resistance bands. Other treatments include nutritional interventions, hormone replacement therapy, and medication. However, there are currently no medications for sarcopenia, and behavioral interventions are not adequate for many diagnosed with sarcopenia.
In conclusion, sarcopenia is a condition characterized by the degenerative loss of skeletal muscle mass, quality, and strength that occurs with aging and/or immobility. It is a major public health concern that can greatly impact quality of life and increase the risk of adverse outcomes. Exercise, specifically resistance training or strength training, is the primary treatment for sarcopenia.
