Muscle Inactivity More Harmful for Older People

A recent study published in The Journal of Physiology points out one reason why it's so important for seniors to remain physically active — and to get active again after a period of enforced inactivity such as hospitalization. Italian researchers found that the same period of inactivity has a greater and more severe impact on the muscles of the elderly than young people.

The study, which was conducted by the University of Udine in conjunction with the University of Padova found that not using muscles even a short time can dramatically enhance the decline in muscle mass and functional capacity, such as the ability to climb stairs. The decline was especially dramatic in the elderly.

Researchers studied the impact of complete inactivity in a group of elderly subjects that were bedridden in a hospital environment for weeks, and the results were compared with young subjects.

There was a difference in single muscle fiber response to disuse, a more pronounced loss of muscle mass, and a change in how muscle contraction is controlled by the nervous system in elderly subjects compared to young individuals. In addition, the recovery phase was more difficult in the elderly group.

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