Sarcopenia in Older Adults and Resistance Training

Cheng-Tung Yen ； Po-Hao Chiu ； Li Chieh Yen ； Hsin-Hung Ho

《Adaptive Medicine》 13卷 (2021/09) Pp. 28-36

https://doi.org/10.4247/AM.2021.ACB256

摘要

Purpose: In recent years, numerous countries have responded to the aging of society. Statistics from the Taiwan Central Health Insurance Agency revealed that medical health insurance expenditures were NT$632.8 billion in 2018, an increase of NT$130 billion compared with 2013-a dramatic increase in expenditures of 25.8% within a 5-year period. In 2017, the number of senior citizens aged 65+ living in Taiwan reached 3.35 million, accounting for 14.2% of the total population. The decline in muscle strength caused by aging leads to an increasing number of falls and inactivity. Thus, experts are increasingly concerned about the harms of myotrophic disease in older adults. We focused on the causes, classification, screening procedure, and preventative measures (such as resistance training) for age-induced sarcopenia. Methods: Document analysis and literature review were used to understand the relationship between sarcopenia and resistance training. The goal was to identify the global consensus and recommendations of professional organizations or academic studies. Results: According to recommendations of the American College of Sports Medicine, American Health Organization, and evidence-based studies, older adults in Taiwan should substantial time on daily activities or in health-related exercise; the appropriate intensity of resistance training and the effects of sarcopenia in older adults have rarely been mentioned. Older adults account for one-quarter of all outpatient clinic usage as well as 38.2% of the total of national medical expenses in Taiwan. Moreover, a lack of resistance exercise increases the likelihood of sarcopenia, resulting in increased risk of falls and disability. Conclusion: More attention should be paid to increasing exercise intensity to preserve muscle mass in older adults. Future studies should continue to investigate routine resistance training for muscle-weak older adults and carefully track the benefits.

關鍵字

senior citizens ； sarcopenia ； resistance training