Institute for Biomedical Research into Human Movement and Health, Manchester Metropolitan University, United Kingdom.
Maturitas. 2012 Nov;73(3):197-201. doi: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2012.07.015. Epub 2012 Aug 16.
Ageing is accompanied with a progressive loss of muscle mass and force generating capacity. Ultimately, the muscle wasting and weakness may dramatically impact on mobility and the quality of life, where the elderly has increasing problems with performing activities of daily life, such as rising from a chair or climbing stairs. The rate of structural and functional deterioration of muscle appears to vary considerably between people. Part of the variation in the 'rate of muscle ageing' is attributable to genetic factors, the timing of changes in circulating hormones and the presence or absence of chronic low-grade systemic inflammation. Where an individual cannot change much in his or her genetic constitution, circulating hormones and systemic inflammation, (s)he can still significantly slow the rate of muscle ageing by an adequate dietary intake and regular physical activity. Finally, it is suggested that age-related alterations in the capillary bed may negatively affect muscle mass.
衰老是伴随着肌肉质量和力量生成能力的逐渐丧失。最终，肌肉萎缩和虚弱可能会极大地影响老年人的活动能力和生活质量，他们在日常生活活动中越来越难以完成，如从椅子上站起来或爬楼梯。肌肉结构和功能的退化速度在人与人之间似乎有很大的差异。部分“肌肉衰老速度”的差异归因于遗传因素、循环激素变化的时间以及慢性低度系统性炎症的存在或缺失。虽然个人无法改变其遗传构成、循环激素和系统性炎症，但通过充足的饮食摄入和定期体育锻炼，仍然可以显著减缓肌肉衰老的速度。最后，有人认为毛细血管床的年龄相关性改变可能会对肌肉质量产生负面影响。
