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The Role of Physical Activity in Sarcopenia

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Sarcopenia

Part of the book series: Practical Issues in Geriatrics ((PIG))

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Abstract

Sarcopenia is a geriatric syndrome that can lead to mortality and morbidity. Physical activity is a cornerstone in human health, for all ages and most health conditions including sarcopenia. There is evidence of the role of physical activity interventions to prevent and manage sarcopenia. General physical activity guidelines for the older population can be followed in the prescription of physical activity for sarcopenia. While emphasis of resistance exercise is meaningful due to the fact that low muscle mass is the first marker of sarcopenia, combined aerobic and resistance exercise can yield greater benefits than separate aerobic and resistance exercise per se. Sedentary behaviour increases with age and is associated with increases in fat mass and decreases in muscle mass potentially leading to sarcopenic obesity. Combined aerobic and resistance exercise can help to prevent and manage sarcopenic obesity which are two combined risk challenges that the older population usually face. Eccentric resistance exercise is a suggested modality for sarcopenic individuals. Moreover, neuromotor exercise is important to prevent falls and stiffness. Low extremities are the most vulnerable parts of the human body that can be affected by sarcopenia and may cause falls and fractures. Long-term engagement in Tai Chi activities is a recommended neuromotor exercise that can help to improve balance, strength, and posture of the low extremities. While the current chapter emphasis some types of physical activities in order to prevent and manage sarcopenia, there is a need for a consensus of physical activity guidelines for sarcopenia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Cambridge Centre for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK

    Lee Smith

  2. Department of Exercise Physiology, College of Sport Sciences and Physical Activity, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

    Shaea Alkahtani

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  1. Lee Smith
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  2. Shaea Alkahtani
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Correspondence to Lee Smith .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy

    Nicola Veronese

  2. WHO Collaborating Center for Public Health Aspects of Musculo-skeletal Health and Ageing, Division of Public Health Epidemiology and Health Economics, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium

    Charlotte Beaudart

  3. Chair for Biomarkers of Chronic Diseases Biochemistry Department, College of Science King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

    Shaun Sabico

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Smith, L., Alkahtani, S. (2021). The Role of Physical Activity in Sarcopenia. In: Veronese, N., Beaudart, C., Sabico, S. (eds) Sarcopenia. Practical Issues in Geriatrics. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-80038-3_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-80038-3_12

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