Sarcopenia: Research and Clinical Implications

Sarcopenia refers to a type of muscle loss which occurs due to aging or immobility. It is characterized by a progressive loss of skeletal muscle strength, mass and quality, which is dependent on factors such as nutrition, exercise level and co-morbidities. Sarcopenia is a component of the frailty syndrome and can result in decreased quality of life as well as incapacity, falls and fractures. It has become a crucial subject in geriatric medicine and represents a growing area of research. Inactivity is a major risk factor of sarcopenia and regular exercise can significantly decrease the muscle loss. The most beneficial form of exercise is resistance training, which is designed for enhancing the muscle stamina and strength by using resistance weights and bands. This book aims to shed light on some of the unexplored aspects of sarcopenia and the clinical implications of the researches conducted on it. Most of the topics introduced herein cover new techniques for clinical diagnosis and treatment of sarcopenia. The book is appropriate for students seeking detailed information on this disease as well as for experts.