Age-Related Changes In Skeletal Muscle Strength And Modifications Through Exercise: A Literature Review

Abstract

We do not have permission to post this article and do not have access to it through our databases. Please use the link to the WorldCat database to find a library with the article or request it from your library through inter-library loan.As people age in industrialized societies, there is a concomitant loss of muscle strength. This loss of strength is often thought to be a direct result of the aging process. There is a direct association between the loss of strength and loss of cross-sectional area of muscle. Thus, decreased strength seems to be the result of atrophy and not some inherent change in the function of the muscles themselves. There are morphological changes to skeletal muscle that are also associated with aging. Specifically, there is a shift in muscle fiber types from type II to type I fibers. Thus, endurance increases and power decreases. There seems to be a morphological shift from random distribution of both fiber types toward a tendency for type II fibers to localize to the boundaries of muscle fascicles and for type I fibers to localize more centrally in the fascicle. These changes in muscle fibers may be the result of age-related decrease in number of motor neurons. Studies have investigated the effectiveness of self-directed and investigator- directed exercise programs in preventing and reversing the age-related loss of muscle strength. These studies have shown that the ability of the elderly to increase muscle strength is comparable with that of young people. Few studies have looked at preventing morphological changes, but these studies have found that exercise prevents the changes thought to be the result of aging. It is concluded that most of the changes seen in the muscles of the elderly are the result of lifestyle and are not direct effects of the aging process.http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/19699138