The Effects of Aging on the Muscular System

Introduction

As the human body ages, there is a common reduction in the power and size of all muscular tissues. Generally, fibers of muscle become small in diameter, indicating a decrease in ATP as well as myofibrils, myoglobin, and reserves of glycogen. Moreover, muscles lose elasticity and become smaller. The easiness for exercise also decreases, same as the ability to recover from injuries of muscle. The decrease in strength of muscle that is associated with aging is because of decreased activity. Training of strength among old age individuals can be helpful in slowing down these losses. This paper discussed some of the major effects of aging on the muscular system.

Effect of Aging on the Muscular System

Age can create large number of deformations in the muscular system. For the most part, the mass, size and stamina of the skeletal muscles also decrease, and flow of blood to the muscles, with the aging factor. Moreover, scar tissues are likely to develop. The main effects of aging on the muscular system are as follows:Sarcopenia

The fibers that create muscles to reduce in size decrease in diameter and the muscle's mass. Because of this, decrease in lean body mass occurs, which is called sarcopenia. Sarcopenia is the medical term for the muscle's loss. This term has started to attain recognition by scientific and medical community. From several years, these communities have focused on the osteoporosis (loss of bone mass); however little attention is paid to loss of muscle mass, that is generally seen in old aged individuals. This is a serious social and healthcare issue that affects large number of old age individuals. This is not an overstatement; it is important concern for large number of old aged individuals (Shock, pp. 45).

Even before considerable wasting of muscle has become apparent, the factor of aging is associated with gradual decline in the strength of muscle and slowing of individual's movement. Factors that cause increase the injury's risk from sudden falls and the dependence of the weak elderly on aid in attaining basic aspects of independent living. In industrialized states, sarcopenia is identified as one of the serious health issues, and its effects are probable to place rising demands on healthcare systems internationally.

Osteoporosis and sarcopenia are conditions that are directly related, often, one follows the other. Mechanical stress is generated by the muscles in order to keep our bones ...