Authors

1María Plaza Carmona, 2Leticia Martínez González

Position

1Doctora en Ciencias de la Actividad Física y el Deporte. Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud.Universidad de León.2Enfermera. Máster en Innovación en Ciencias Biomédicas y de la Salud. Facultad de Cienciasde la Salud. Universidad de León.

Contact address

Leticia Martínez González. C/ Jaime Balmes, 5, 5º D. 24007 León.

Contact email: eticia.martinezgonzalez6@gmail.com

Abstract

Changes in body composition during the aging process can cause an increase of conditions such as obesity and sarcopenia. The latter is understood as a reduction in total-body skeletal muscle mass which occurs during the aging process, with a gradual loss of strength, and with risk of causing physical disability, reduction in quality of life, and increase in mortality.

It has been currently confirmed that lack of activity or a reduction in the level of physical activity are two of the underlying mechanisms which favour the development of sarcopenia and, for that reason, physical activity seems to be a determining factor to prevent or slow down the development of said condition.

In this sense, it is important to promote an active lifestyle in elderly persons, in order to ensure a healthy body composition during the aging process.

Keywords:

aging; sarcopenia; bone mass; muscle mass; strength

Versión en Español

Título:

Sarcopenia, envejecimiento y actividad física