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Gazzetta Medica Italiana Archivio per le Scienze Mediche 2016 December;175(12):551-8

Copyright © 2016 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

lingua: Inglese

Exercise in prevention of sarcopenia related disability in elderly

Teet SEENE, Priit KAASIK

Institute of Exercise Biology and Physiotherapy, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia

Aging includes a gradual decline in muscle strength, endurance and reduced physical work capacity which are leading to disability. Different exercise regimen when appropriate, are effective in deceleration/ prevention of disability in the elderly. Exercise programs which are effective in deceleration/ prevention of disability in the elderly may consist of endurance, resistance or concurrent endurance and resistance exercise. The intent of this review was to bring attention to the effectiveness of exercise on the deceleration of sarcopenia related disability in the elderly. As strength and endurance capacity of skeletal muscle decreases in the elderly and reduced physical work capacity leading to the disability, it is important to find appropriate individual exercise regimen which leads to performance improvement and prevention of sarcopenia related disability. Research indicates that endurance, resistant and concurrent endurance and resistance exercise are effective measure in prevention of sarcopenia related disability in the elderly. This brief review highlights research findings on decelerative / preventive effect of endurance, resistance and concurrent endurance and resistance type of exercise on the development of sarcopenia, muscle weakness and disability in elderly.