Reversing muscle aging (sarcopenia)
As the body ages muscles gradually get weaker and less able to bear load. This has a huge impact on the whole body as muscles help to support the body organs and keep everything together. Also quality of life issues are impacted as with the reduction in strength comes the reduction in ability to carry about basic tasks and keep mobile. However it is possible to slow down and temporarily reverse these effects by doing strength training. It is already well known that resistance exercises improve muscle strength of old and young alike, but new research suggests that the effect may be actually turning back on the clock on the muscle aging.
This was identified in the online journal PLoS One. The gene expression profile in older adults muscle was compared with healthy young adults. Researchers found that the profiles deferred significantly. The difference indicated that the older muscle tissue had mitochondria (‘powerhouse’ of the cell) which were not functioning as well. However this was reversible, as was shown when 14 of the older adults spent 6 months strength training. After this period their gene expression profile matched more the youthful gene profile appearance. The lead study author was Dr. Simon Melov of the Buck Institute of Age Research.
SOURCE: PLoS One, online May 23, 2007.
I am a 67 year old female, 5 year status post breast cancer with chemo/radiation/surgery, who has just been diagnosed with sarcopenia by an orthopedist. Primary problems are severe pain in and around both hips/upper thigh muscles when initially arising from a sitting position. Once in stride, ambulation is just about normal with little pain. When pain is present, it is excruciating but dissipates within minutes. MRI of right hip showed strains of gamelli and piriformis muscles plus calcification healing of tendon on right.
General, overall health is very good. Well controlled hypertension (developed during chemo) with medicine. I am very active and have always walked a lot daily. Despite current problems I do exercises and continue to walk daily. Does this really sound like it is sarcopenia? Should I see a neurologist? Pain meds do not work for me. Please help.
Great Blog! It’s also a good idea in the fight against aging diseases to join “The Campaign for Aging Research (C.A.R)” and show your support by donating. For those of you who don’t know the site address yet, here it is: http://www.HealthyYears.org