Sarcopenia, aging and physical activity
Section: Health and quality of life
How to quote
Plaza Carmona M, Martínez González L. Sarcopenia, envejecimiento y actividad física. Metas Enferm abr 2015; 18(3): 69-73.
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
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