The impact of lifestyle factors across the life course on sarcopenia and physical frailty.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Muscle health helps maintain locomotor capacity, a key component of intrinsic capacity, which is required for healthy ageing. Sarcopenia is characterized by the age-related decline in muscle mass and strength leading to impaired physical performance, and has been described as a biological substrate of physical frailty. Both sarcopenia and physical frailty share phenotypic features of weakness and slowness, lead to common adverse outcomes, and have potential for reversal through early identification and intervention. The purpose of this review is to present recent evidence for the impact of lifestyle interventions across the life course on sarcopenia and physical frailty.

Recent findings: Resistance exercise alone or combined with balance and aerobic training as part of a multicomponent exercise program and high-quality diets incorporating adequate protein remain the mainstay of treatment for sarcopenia and physical frailty. Reducing sedentary time and increasing physical activity, adherence to Mediterranean diet, increasing vegetable and caffeinated beverage intake, cardiovascular risk factor modification, improving sleep hygiene and depressive symptoms may also contribute to slowing down age-related decline in muscle health.

Summary: Lifestyle interventions such as physical activity, diet, sleep and mental health are effective against sarcopenia and physical frailty. Targeting lifestyle modifications in early to midlife may retard further decline in locomotor capacity and optimize intrinsic capacity of older persons, reducing the risk of sarcopenia, physical frailty and their attendant negative health outcomes.