Muscle Loss in Seniors Costs Billions

According to a recent New York Times article, disability costs in the U.S. related to muscle loss in older people are billions of dollars: “One study estimated that disability caused by sarcopenia accounted for $18.5 billion in direct medical costs in 2000.”

Sarcopenia is the term used to describe the natural reduction in muscle mass and strength people experience over time. The decline can start around age 30 for some. By the mid 60s, the decline can be severe. Decreases in growth hormone, testosterone, and insulin-like growth factors are thought to be involved in muscle loss. Under-activity also plays a role.

Sedentariness and obesity have been discussed in the mainstream media quite a bit. Even a somewhat active person can experience muscle loss, or sarcopenia, because they simply don’t use specific muscles. For example, walking twice a week is good for the heart, but it does not do much for the muscles of the forearms, wrists, hands or back. When those muscles are not challenged with some resistance, they are likely to shrink over time. Resistance training involves using some kind of weight to activate the muscles. Muscles can also be stimulated by doing exercises using only body weight such as push-ups and pull-ups.

Muscle loss is tied to another health condition called metabolic syndrome. Muscle mass is involved in how fast our metabolism works. When we have less muscle mass, our metabolism slows, which makes us more prone to gaining weight in the midsection. Weight gain makes a person more likely to experience glucose intolerance which contributes to type II diabetes.

When metabolism slows, an older person can also lose their appetite and not eat enough to support a healthy amount of muscle mass. Researcher Dr. Elena Volpi who is investigating muscle mass and the elderly explained, “At this point, what we can say is that older people are at risk for eating too little protein for adequate muscle preservation.”

There is some good news with this complicated and perhaps upsetting information. Research also has shown that resistance training can be applied at just about any time within one’s life, and have a positive impact: “Resistance training (RT) has been shown to be a powerful intervention in the prevention and treatment of sarcopenia (Roth, Ferrel & Hurley 2000). RT has been reported to positively influence the neuromuscular system, hormone concentrations, and protein synthesis rates. ” (Source: Sarcopenia: the Mystery of Muscle Loss)

Exercise should be challenging, but more importantly, enjoyable. Cross-training, such as blending weekly dancing with swimming and maybe a day of yoga each week, can work well for stimulating all the major muscle groups in the body.

89 Year-Old Yoga Teacher

Image Credit: Public Domain

Read more: Community, Do Good, Fitness, General Health, Life, muscle loss

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Carole R.

7:46PM PST on Nov 7, 2011

Thanks for the information.

send a green star

Lynn Marie M.

9:38AM PDT on Sep 22, 2010

Thanks!

Jane R.

11:27AM PDT on Sep 7, 2010

Goes to show you that you don't have to stop exercizing just because you get old. You also don't need to go to a gym or have an instructor. Get a book from the library & read the instructions (there would be pictures also). Take the initiative in your own hands.

Beth S.

1:29PM PDT on Sep 6, 2010

I've also read in several nutritional journal abstracts that muscle loss occurs, too, as a reaction to a somewhat acidic environment from eating grains. One way to counteract this is to eat potato skins (or at least keep the skins on the potatoes), because they are high in potassium (and are more alkaline) and counteract the acidity.

Betty C.

9:48AM PDT on Sep 6, 2010

The old adage "Use it or lose it". Keep on moving, then the 'rust' won't get you.

jane r.

8:37AM PDT on Sep 6, 2010

A good argument for moderate exercise! Thanks!

Philippa P.

2:26AM PDT on Sep 6, 2010

Thanks.

Gary A.

10:42PM PDT on Sep 4, 2010

Heather, actually BMI isn't a very good indicator of all folks.
I'm 5' 5" and weight 165: my BMI proclaims that I am seriously overweight. WRONG. BMI cannot distinguish between so-called normal people and those who are more muscular than normal. I am a serious weight trainer. Therefore, I have more muscle than so-called normal people. In fact, my bodyfat percentage at 62 is only 6%. Most people the BMI considers lean have a bodyfat percentage of 12-16%.

Don't be concerned about BMI or other magic tables. Are you energetic and active and strong enough to perform your normal chores without pain or excessive tiredness? if so, keep doing what you've been doing. Judge yourself by how you feel about yourself.

== Gary
PS to Sherylee:
sherylee, yes, you are absolutely correct. There's something terribly wrong with a system when seniors must choose between medicines and food.

Diane L.

5:07AM PDT on Sep 4, 2010

Okay, OKAY.....enough already! I'm getting off the computer chair & going outside to mow the grass! Seriously, this is all very true. I recently got a free health club membership as part of my Medicare supplemental insurance and when they evaluated me, told me I had a terrible BMI score. I was shocked.......except for my knee issue, figured I was in fairly good shape, and certainly more fit than many my age (I'm 68)........NOT!

Heather, you live near me, actually. I'm in Lakebay. I just got a free membership to Anytime Fitness in Gig Harbor. It's great.

Jeanie H.

4:15AM PDT on Sep 4, 2010

nice