Navigation

Progressive Sports Medicine

The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) has released an official statement on the physiology of aging, including what can be done to slow or stop the loss of muscle mass and the impairment of muscle function with age. The statement appears in the ACSM's Current Comments, February 2001.

According to the ACSM, the most often reported consequence of normal aging is the loss of skeletal muscle mass, which may be related to changes in both muscle fiber area and fiber number. While studies show that Type I muscle fibers are resistant to age-associated atrophy, at least until 60 to 70 years of age, the relative area of Type II muscle fibers appears to decline with increased age. The loss of muscle fibers affects men and women, and is most noticeable around 50 years of age.

The ACSM reports that recent studies show elderly skeletal muscle is able to adapt to short-term (12 weeks) training programs by increasing strength through muscle hypertrophy of both types of fibers and improved functional performance.

Current research indicates that elderly muscle can adapt positively to resistance exercise. Significant improvements in strength caused by muscle hypertrophy may result from increased sensitivity of androgen receptors and increased levels of circulating factors responsible for muscle growth, such as testosterone and growth hormone.

The ACSM has published position stands on exercise for healthy adults as well as for older adults. They state that age should not be a deterrent for beginning an exercise program (although medical approval should be obtained), and that the exercises should be progressive in nature, individualized and involve all the major muscle groups. Exercising should be done two to three times per week with at least one set of eight to 15 repetitions. Multiple sets may be more beneficial and exercises that help with balance and posture are recommended.

Current Comments are official statements by the ACSM concerning topics of interest to the public at large. More information may be obtained by calling 317-637-9200 or by writing to the ACSM, P.O. Box 1440, Indianapolis, IN 46206-1440.

COPYRIGHT 2001 American Academy of Family Physicians
COPYRIGHT 2001 Gale Group