What Is Sarcopenia?

Loss of muscle mass occurs naturally with age. This process begins around 30 and gradually starts to affect strength. Yet the rate at which muscle mass declines is not uniform across all people. Sarcopenia refers to rapid, age-related loss of muscle mass, strength and function.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recognized sarcopenia since 2016. If you’re concerned about preventing age-related muscle loss, learn more about sarcopenia.

Sarcopenia vs. Age-Related Muscle Loss

No matter your level of physical activity, muscle loss after age 30 is inevitable. Yet individuals who lead a more sedentary lifestyle tend to see muscle mass decline at a rate of around three to five percent each decade.

Sarcopenia is diagnosed based on how the rate of decrease affects muscle mass and mobility. After age 65 and especially after 80, muscle loss becomes more prominent and can affect quality of life, increasing the risks for falls and fractures. Individuals with sarcopenia generally see their independence disappear sooner and require long-term care earlier.

How does sarcopenia affect your body? The condition decreases the size and number of muscle fibers available – factors that affect their cellular composition and ability to generate proteins. This degree of atrophy may further be affected by hormonal changes.

While it sounds similar, sarcopenia differs from muscle atrophy. With atrophy, the body maintains the same number of muscle fibers but the fibers themselves decrease in size.

Sarcopenia’s changes have a pervasive effect on your body, health and safety, including:

• Less support for the musculoskeletal system
• An increase in falls, fractures and hospitalizations
• Increased risk for complications following surgery

An estimated 13 percent of people over age 60 have sarcopenia and 50 percent over age 80.

Risks for Sarcopenia

The natural aging process typically triggers sarcopenia, causing some individuals to lose as much as eight percent of their muscle mass per decade. Along with these changes, other factors correlated with a higher risk for sarcopenia include:

Symptoms of Sarcopenia

The signs of sarcopenia may start to emerge with age – namely a loss of strength, stamina and increased weakness. Other symptoms include:

Should these signs be ignored, sarcopenia can increase risk of a life-threatening fall injury.

Treatment for Sarcopenia

To diagnose sarcopenia, a physical exam will assess your strength and ability to walk, rise from a chair, climb stairs and protect yourself from falls.

The diagnostic process also examines how well you can grip a handle or object, how fast you perform certain activities of daily living and imaging may also be requested. From here, you may be recommended to:

• Address your physical activity level, including incorporating more strength and resistance training into your routine.
• Examine your diet and increase your calorie and protein intake.
• Undergo hormone replacement therapy to better preserve your muscles and bones.

Are you concerned about sarcopenia for yourself or a loved one? Contact the medical providers at West Hartford Health & Rehabilitation Center to learn more.