Cited by 246Nutrition and Health in AgingMuscle Physiology and DisordersMuscle metabolism and nutrition

Muscle quality in aging: a multi-dimensional approach to muscle functioning with applications for treatment.

Open access
Fragala, Maren S., Kenny, Anne M., Kuchel, George A.·2015·Sports Medicine

Abstract

Aging is often accompanied by declines in physical functioning which impedes older adults' quality of life, sense of independence, and ability to perform daily tasks. Age-related decreases in skeletal muscle quantity, termed sarcopenia, have traditionally been blamed for these physical decrements. However, recent evidence suggests that the quality of muscle tissue may be more functionally relevant than its quantity. 'Muscle quality' has been emerging as a means to elucidate and describe the intricate intramuscular changes associated with muscle performance in the context of aging and sarcopenia. While muscle quality has most commonly been defined in terms of muscle composition or relative strength, at the core, muscle quality really describes muscle's ability to function. Skeletal muscle displays a strong structure-function relationship by which several architectural characteristics factor into its functional capacity. This review describes the structural, physiological, and functional determinants of muscle quality at the tissue and cellular level, while also introducing other novel parameters such as sarcomere spacing and integrity, circulating biomarkers, and the muscle quality index. Muscle qualitative features are described from the perspective of how physical exercise may improve muscle quality in older adults. This broad, multidimensional perspective of muscle quality in the context of aging and sarcopenia offers comprehensive insights for consideration and integration in developing improved prognostic tools for research and clinical care, while also promoting translational approaches to the design of novel targeted intervention strategies designed to maintain function and mobility into late life.

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Crossref · 10.1007/s40279-015-0305-z

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273 of 273 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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Authors
Fragala, M. S., Kenny, A. M., & Kuchel, G. A.
Affiliations
  • University of Central Florida (US)
  • University of Connecticut (US)
Corresponding author
Fragala, Maren S.
Venue
Sports Medicine
Published
2015-02-06
Volume
45
Issue
5
Pages
641-658
ISSN
  • 0112-1642 (ISSN-L)
  • 1179-2035
OpenAlex
W1989017729
Cited by
246
References
275
Citations by year
2026: 19 · 2025: 28 · 2024: 27 · 2023: 31 · 2022: 31 · 2021: 33 · 2020: 19 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 24 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 4
FWCI
1.92
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Sports Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Journal of International Crisis and Risk Communication Research (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Nutrition and Health in Aging
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Muscle Physiology and Disorders
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Muscle metabolism and nutrition
Keywords
muscle quality, aging, sarcopenia, skeletal muscle, muscle architecture, muscle quality index, circulating biomarkers, elderly exercise, muscle function, structure-function relationship
MeSH terms
Aging, Body Composition, Humans, Motor Activity, Gonadal Steroid Hormones, Ultrasonography, Biomarkers, Exercise, Muscle, Skeletal, Dietary Supplements, Muscle Strength, Sarcopenia

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