Skip to main content

Ageing, Continuous Changes of Adulthood

  • Chapter
Human Physical Growth and Maturation

Part of the book series: NATO Advanced Study Institutes Series ((NSSA,volume 30))

Abstract

Developmental processes or changes in morphology continue after puberty. Ageing is difficult to define, since it is a continuous process and it is impossible to distinguish between effects related only to time and the effects of degenerative diseases. These diseases are the cause or the result of senescence. The theories of ageing are very numerous but it is quite clear that the processes of formation or destruction are present in all stages from conception to death, the ratio between the processes being, however, different. There is no clear starting point of senescence.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abbie, A., 1967, Skinfold thickness in Australian aborigines, Arch. Phys. Anthr. in Oceania, 2:207.

    Google Scholar 

  • Abraham, S., Johnson, C. L., and Carroll, M. D., 1978, “Total Serum Cholesterol Levels of Adults 18–74 Years,” Vital and Health Statistics, Series 11, No. 205, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alexopoulos, C., and Babitis, P., 1976, Age dependence of T lymphocytes, Lancet, 1: 426.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Astrand, I., Astrand, P. O., Hallback, I., and Kilborn, A., 1973, Reduction in maximal oxygen uptake with age, J. Appl. Physiol., 35: 649.

    Google Scholar 

  • Augener, W., Cohen, G., Reuter, A., and Bittinger, G., 1974, Decrease of T lymphocytes during ageing, Lancet, 1: 1164.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bartucz, L., 1917, Die Körpergrösse der heutigen Magyaren, Arch. Anthrop., 15: 44.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beeton, M., and Pearson, K., 1901, On the inheritance of the duration of life, and on the intensity of natural selection of man, Biometrika, 1: 50.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boas, F., 1935, Studies in growth, Hum. Biol., 7: 303.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boersma, H., 1974, Alteration of skull dimensions in aged persons, J. Dent. Res., 53: 678.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Borkan, G. A., and Norris, A. H., 1977, Fat redistribution and the changing body dimensions of the adult male, Hum. Biol., 49: 495.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bourlière, F., 1963, Principes et méthodes de mesure de l’âge biologique chez l’homme, Bull. et Mém. Soc. d’Anthropologie de Paris, 4: 561.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bourlière, F., Clement, F., and Parot, S., 1966, Normes de vieillisement morphologique et physiologique d’une population de niveau socio-économique élevé de la région parisienne, Bull. et Mém. Soc. d’Anthrop. Paris, 10: 11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brozek, J., 1965, Age trends and adult sex differences in body composition, Homenaje a Juan Comas, Mexico, Editorial, Libros de Mexico, Mexico.

    Google Scholar 

  • Büchi, E. C., 1950, Aenderung der Körperform beim erwachsenen Menschen, Anthrop. Forsch. (Anthrop. Gesellsch. in Wien), 1:1.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carlsson, G. E., and Persson, G., 1967, Morphologic changes of the mandible after extraction and wearing of dentures. A longitudinal clinical and X-ray cephalometric study covering 5 years, Odont. Rev., 18: 27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coon, C. S., 1950, The mountain of giants: a racial and cultural study of the North Albanian mountain Ghegs, Pap. Peabody Mus., 23: 106.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crognier, E., 1969, Données biométriques sur l’état de nutrition d’une population Africaine tropicale: Les Sara du Tchad, Biometrie humaine, 4: 37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dahlberg, G., and Wahlund, S., 1941, “The Race Biology of the Swedish Lapps,” I I, Anthropometrical survey, Uppsala.

    Google Scholar 

  • Damon, A., 1965, Discrepancies between findings of longitudinal and cross-sectional studies in adult life: physique and physiology, Hum. Dev., 8: 16.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dequeker, J., 1972, Bone loss in normal and pathological conditions, Diss. Univ. Leuven, Belgium.

    Google Scholar 

  • Epker, B. N., and Frost, H. M., 1966, Periosteal appositional bone growth from age two to age seventy in man, A tetracycline evaluation, Anat. Rec., 154: 573.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Epker, B., Kelvin, M., and Frost, H., 1965, Magnitude and location of cortical bone loss in human rib with ageing, Clin. Orthop., 41: 198.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ericksen, M. F., 1978, Aging in the lumbar spine III: L5, Am. J. Phys. Anthropol., 48: 247.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fenart, R., Deblock, R., and Dufresnoy, P., 1975, Modifications apportées par la sénescence, au profil cranien, en orientation vestibulaire, Bull. Soc. Anthr. Paris, 13: 231.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Forbes, G. B., 1976, The adult decline in lean body mass, Hum. Biol., 48: 161.

    Google Scholar 

  • Garn, S. M., Rohmann, C. G., Wagner, B., and Ascoli, W., 1967, Continuing bone growth throughout life: a general phenomenon, Am. J. Phys. Anthropol., 26: 313.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goldstein, M. S., 1943, Demographic and bodily changes in descendants of Mexican immigrants with comparable data on parents and children in Mexico, Publ. Inst. Latin American Studies, Univ. Texas (cited by Lasker, 1953 ).

    Google Scholar 

  • Gsell, 1966, Longitudinale Alterforschung, Med. Wochenschrift, 96: 1541.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harvey, R. G., 1974, An anthropometric survey of growth and physique of the populations of Karkar Island and Lufa subdistrict, New Guinea, Phil. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. B., 268: 279.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hertzog, K., Garn, S. M., and Hempy, H., 1969, Partitioning the effects of secular trend and ageing on adult stature, Am. J. Phys. Anthropol., 31: 111.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Himes, J. H., and Mueller, W. H., 1977a, Ageing and secular change in adult stature in rural Colombia, Am. J. Phys. Anthropol., 46: 275.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Himes, J. H., and Mueller, W. H., 1977b, Age associated statural loss and socio-economic status, J. Am. Geriatr. Soc., 25: 171.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hooton, E. A., and Dupertuis, C. W., 1951, Age changes and selective survival in Irish males, Stud. Phys. Anthropol., 2: 1.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hrdlicka, A., 1935, The Pueblos, with comparative data on the bulk of the tribes of southwest and northern Mexico, Am. J. Phys. Anthropol., 20: 235.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Inokuchi, S., Ishikawa, H., Iwamoto, S., and Kimura, T., 1975, Age-related changes in the histological composition of the rectus abdominis muscle of the adult human, Hum. Biol., 47: 231.

    Google Scholar 

  • Israel, H., 1968, Continuing growth in the human cranial skeleton, Arch. Oral Biol., 13: 133.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Israel, H., 1970, Continuing growth in sella turcica with age, Am. J. Roent. Rad. Ther. and Nucl. Med., 108: 516.

    Google Scholar 

  • Israel, H., 1971, “The impact of aging upon the adult cranio-facial skeleton,” Ph.D. Thesis, Univ. Alabama.

    Google Scholar 

  • Israel, H., 1973, Age factor and the pattern of change in cranio- facial structures, Am. J. Phys. Anthropol., 39: 111.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jalavisto, E., 1951, Inheritance of longevity according to Finnish and Swedish geneologies, Ann. Med. Int. Fenn., 40: 263.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jarcho, A., 1935, Die Aeltersveranderungen der Rassenmerkmale bei Erwachsenen, Anthrop. Anz., 12: 173.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jarvik, L. F., Falek, A., Kallmann, F. J., and Lorge, I., 1960, Survival trends in a senescent twin population, Am. J. Hum. Genet., 12: 170.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jung, K. W., and Arnold, J. S., 1972, Variation in osteoid pattern with age in human vertebrae, Okajimas Folia Anat. Jap., 49: 157.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kallmann, F. J., 1957, Twin data on the genetics of ageing, in: “Colloquia on Ageing,” (Ciba Foundation, No. 3 ), Churchill, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaufmann, H., Hagler, K., and Lang, R., 1958, Analyse anthropologique et statistique de Walsers orientaux et de Romanches de l’Oberhallstein, Arch. Suisses Anthrop. Gén., 23: 1.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kendrick, G. S., and Risinger, H. L., 1967, Changes in the anteroposterior dimensions of the human male skull during the third and fourth decade of life, Anat. Rec., 159: 77.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keys, A., Taylor, H. L., and Grande, F., 1973, Basal metabolism and age of adult man, Metabolism, 22: 579.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kokich, V. G., 1976, Age changes in the human frontozygomatic suture from 20 to 95 years, Am. J. Orthod., 69: 411.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lasker, G. W., 1953, The age factor in bodily measurements of adult male and female Mexicans, Hum. Biol., 25: 50.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee, M. C., and Lasker, G. W., 1958, The thickness of subcutaneous fat in elderly men, Am. J. Phys. Anthropol., 16: 125.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lipscomb, F. M., and Parnell, R. W., 1954, The physique of Chelsea pensioners, J. Royal Army Med. Corps, 100: 247.

    Google Scholar 

  • Manson, J. D., and Lucas, R. B., 1962, A microradiographic study of the age changes in the human mandible, Arch. Oral Biol., 7: 761.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marquer, P., and Chamla, M. C., 1961, L’évolution des caractères morphologiques en fonction de l’âge chez 2,089 Fran5ais de 20 â 91 ans., Bull, et Mém. Soc. d’Anthrop. Paris, 2: 1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Master, A. M., Lasser, R. P., and Bechman, G., 1959, Analysis of weight and height of apparently healthy population, ages 65 to 94 years, Proc. Soc. Expt. Biol. Med., 102: 367.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meema, S., Reid, D. B. W., and Meema, H. E., 1975, Age trends of bone mineral mass, muscle width and subcutaneous fat in normals and osteoporotics, Calcif. Tissue Res., 12: 101.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miall, W., Ashcroft, M., Lovell, H., and Moore, F., 1967, A longitudinal study of the decline of adult height with age in two Welsh communities, Hum. Biol., 39: 445.

    Google Scholar 

  • Milne, J. S., and Lauder, I. J., 1974, Age effects in kyphosis and lordosis in adults, Ann. Hum. Biol., 1: 327.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moretti, I., 1953, Comportamento della menopausa in gamelle mono-e biovulari, Fol. Hered. Path. (Pavia), 2: 1.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nishimura, H., and Shimizu, S., 1963, Studies on various ageing phenomena in Japanese twins and siblings, Acta Genet. Med., 12: 22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nöllenburg, W. auf der, 1932, Statistische Untersuchungen über die Erblichkeit der Lebenslange, Z. Konstit.-Lehre, 16: 707.

    Google Scholar 

  • Norris, A. H., Lundy, T., and Shock, N. W., 1963, Trends in selected indices of body composition in men between the ages of 30 and 80 years, Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., 110: 623.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pařízková, J., 1963, Impact of age, diet and exercise on man’s body composition, Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., 110: 661.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pařízkovs, J., and Eisett, E., 1971, A further study on changes in somatic characteristics and body composition of old men followed longitudinally for 8–10 years, Hum. Biol., 43: 318.

    Google Scholar 

  • Parot, S., 1959, Les variations de poids liées â l’âge: étude transversale â taille constante, Rev. Soc. Biom. Humaine, 1: 78.

    Google Scholar 

  • Parot, S., 1961, Recherches sur la biométrie du vieillissement humain, Bull. et Mém. Soc. d’Anthrop. Paris, 2: 299.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pearl, R., 1931, Studies on human longevity, IV: The inheritance of longevity (preliminary report), Hum. Biol., 3: 245.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pearl, R., and Dewitt, R., 1934, Studies on human longevity, IV: The distribution and correlation of variation in the total immediate ancestral longevity of nonagenarians and centenarians, in relation to the inheritance factor in duration of life, Hum. Biol., 6: 98.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pfitzner, W., 1899, Social-anthropologische Studien, I. Der Einfluss des Lebens alters auf die anthropologischen Charaktere, Z. Morph. Anthrop., 1: 325.

    Google Scholar 

  • Philippe, P., 1978, Familial correlations of longevity: an isolate-based study, Am. J. Med. Genet., 2: 121.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Polednak, A. P., 1978, Age changes in differential leukocyte count among female adults, Hum. Biol., 50: 301.

    Google Scholar 

  • Quetelet, A., 1870, Anthropométrie ou mesure des différentes facultés de l’Homme, Bachelier, Bruxelles.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roberts, J., 1975, “Blood Pressure of Persons 18–74 Years,” Vital and Health Statistics, National Center for Health Statistics, DHEW Pub. No. (HRA) 75–1632, Series 11, No. 150, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roberts, J., and Maurer, K., 1978, “Blood Pressure Levels of Persons 6–74 Years,” Vital and Health Statistics, Series 11, No. 203, National Center for Health Statistics, DHEW Pub. No. (HRA) 78–1648, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sacher, G. A., 1975, Maturation and longevity in relation to cranial capacity in hominid evolution, in: “Primates: Functional Morphology and Evolution,” R. Tuttle, ed., Mouton, The Hague.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sailer, K., 1930, Die Fehmaraner, Deutsche Rassenkunde, 4:1.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sailer, K., 1931, Süderdithmarsische Geestbevölkerung, Deutsche Rassenkunde, 7: 1.

    Google Scholar 

  • Semine, A. A., and Damon, A., 1975, Costochondral ossification and ageing in five populations, Hum. Biol., 47: 101.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shock, N. W., Watkin, D. M., Yiengst, M. J., Norris, A. H., Gaffney, G. W., Gregerman, R. I., and Falzone, J. A., 1963, Age differences in water content of the body as related to basal oxygen consumption in males, J. Geront., 18: 1.

    Google Scholar 

  • Simons, J. W., and Van den Broek, C., 1970, Comparison of ageing in vitro and in vivo by means of cell size analysis using a Coulter counter, Gerontologia, 16: 340.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sinclair, D., 1973, “Human Growth After Birth,” Oxford Univ. Press, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sinnett, P. F., Keig, G., and Craig, W., 1973, Nutrition and age-related changes in body build of adults: Studies in a New Guinea Highland community, Hum. Biol. in Oceania, 2:50.

    Google Scholar 

  • Slome, C., Campel, B., Abramson, J. H., and Scotch, N., 1960, Weight, height and skinfold thickness of Zulu adults in Durban, South Afr. Med. J., 34: 505.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, R. W., and Walker, R. R., 1964, Femoral expansion in aging women: Implications for osteoporosis and fractures, Science, 145: 156.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stoessiger, B., 1932, On the inheritance of duration of life and cause of death, Ann. Eugen. (Lond.), 5: 105.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Susanne, C., 1967, Les changements de la taille liés à l’âge Phénomènes normaux de sénescence), L’Anthropologie, 72:297.

    Google Scholar 

  • Susanne, C., 1971, Hérédité des caractères anthropologiques mesurables, Bull. et Mém. Soc. d’Anthrop. Paris, 7: 169.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Susanne, C., 1974, Les changements morphologiques liés à l’âge, L’Anthropologie, 78: 693.

    Google Scholar 

  • Susanne, C., 1977, Individual age changes of the morphological characteristics, J. Hum. Evol., 6: 181.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Swash, M., and Fox, K. P., 1972, The effect of age on human skeletal muscle. Studies of the morphology and innervation of muscle spindles, J. Neurol. Sci., 16: 417.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Takahashi, E., and Atsumi, H., 1955, Age differences in the thoracic form as indicated by thoracic index, Hum. Biol., 27: 65.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tallgren, A., 1967, The effect of denture wearing on facial morphology. A 7-year longitudinal study, Acta Odont. Scand., 25: 563.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tallgren, A., 1974, Neurocranial morphology and ageing: a longitudinal roentgen cephalometric study of adult Finnish women, Am. J. Phys. Anthropol., 41: 285.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tanaka, J., 1975, A radiographic analysis on human lumbar vertebrae in the aged, Virchows Arch. A. Path. Anat. and Hist., 366: 187.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, J. L., and Kendrick, G. S., 1964, Changes in the vertical dimensions of the human male skull during the third and fourth decades of life, Anat. Rec., 150: 209.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Trotter, M., and Gleser, G., 1951, The effect of ageing on stature, Am. J. Phys. Anthropol., 9: 311.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Trotter, M., Peterson, R. R., and Wette, R., 1968, The secular trend in the diameter of the femur of American whites and Negroes, Am. J. Phys. Anthropol., 28: 65.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Trotter, M., and Hixon, B. H., 1974, Sequential changes in weight, density and percentage ash weight of human skeletons from an early fetal period through old age, Anat. Rec., 179: 1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Von Verschuer, O., 1954, “Wirksame Faktoren im Leben des Menschen, Beobachtungen an ein-and zweieiigen Zwillingen durch 25 Jahre,” Steiner, Wiesbaden.

    Google Scholar 

  • Virtama, P., and Helela, T., 1969, Radiographic measurements of cortical bone, Acta Radiol., Suppl. 293: 1.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vogt, A., Wagner, H., Richner, H., and Meyer, G., 1939, Das Senium bei eineiigen and zweieiigen Zwillingen, Arch. Klaus-Stift. Vererb.-Forsch., 14: 475.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walford, R. L., 1967, The role of auto-immune phenomena in the ageing process, Symp. Soc. Ex. Biol., XXI, “Aspects of the Biology of Ageing.”

    Google Scholar 

  • Weissenberg, S., 1895, Die Südrussischen Juden, Arch. Anthrop., 23: 347.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wessel, J. A., Ufer, A., Van Huss, W. D., and Cederquist, D., 1963, Age trends of various components of body composition and functional characteristics in women aged 20–69 years, Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., 110: 608.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wolanski, N., and Pyzuk, M., 1973, Psychomotor properties in 1.5–99 year old inhabitants of Polish rural areas, Studies in Hum. Ecology, 1: 134.

    Google Scholar 

  • Young, C. M., Blondin, J., Tensuan, R., and Fryer, J. H., 1963, Body composition studies of older women, thirty to seventy years of age, Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., 110: 589.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1980 Plenum Press, New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Susanne, C. (1980). Ageing, Continuous Changes of Adulthood. In: Johnston, F.E., Roche, A.F., Susanne, C. (eds) Human Physical Growth and Maturation. NATO Advanced Study Institutes Series, vol 30. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-6994-3_13

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-6994-3_13

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4684-6996-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4684-6994-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics