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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsNew studies to target muscle mass as key to successful aging
Which part of the body is most vital to senior citizens' independence?
Studies increasingly suggest it's not the mind, bones or heart. It's their muscles.
Researchers, armed with new federal funding, are exploring the ties between maintaining muscle mass and successful aging. The University of Florida's Institute on Aging this month received a $5.2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to continue studying what causes age-related muscle loss known as sarcopenia and how it can be prevented.
The answers are critical, especially in Broward and Palm Beach counties, where more than a half-million people are older than age 65. Studies suggest debilitating sarcopenia may affect 40 percent of people once they hit 80, and accounts for $18.5 million in annual health-care expenditures nationally.
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-06-14/health/fl-senior-muscle-loss-20120613_1_sarcopenia-muscle-loss-aging
K8-EEE
(15,667 posts)I am (GULP) 52 and and bound and determined to age "successfully." This is great info.
RedCappedBandit
(5,514 posts)So many articles out there claiming that exercise is bad. Does nothing but give people justification to lay around.
treestar
(82,383 posts)Aging unsuccessfully would take place in the same time.
dixiegrrrrl
(60,010 posts)one could see dying as an example of "aging unsuccessfully."
Edweird
(8,570 posts)I'm 41 and I make 20 somethings look pathetic and weak. Eventually I'll lose my edge and then I'll shamelessly hit the Dr. up for some steroid replacement therapy.
AndyTiedye
(23,500 posts)It appears that some recent research supports this idea.
http://socialdance.stanford.edu/syllabi/smarter.htm?mid=56