Ageing is associated with a progressive decrease in skeletal muscle function, characterised by MU losses, muscle fibre atrophy (particularly type II) and fibre type grouping. Sarcopenic individuals display a compromised ability to perform everyday activities of daily living and are at increased risk of accidental falls, mainly due to decrements in muscle strength and power.

 

The underlying signature of ageing, as manifested by perturbed redox homeostasis, leads to a blunting of acute and chronic redox regulated exercise adaptations. Impaired redox regulated exercise adaptations are mechanistically related to altered exercise-induced ROS/RNS generation and a resultant failure to properly activate redox regulated signaling cascades. Despite the specific impairments in redox signaling associated with ageing, physical activity, especially progressive RT or combined CV & RT, induces a plethora of beneficial effects. However, to derive the greatest long-term benefits of physical activity for slowing or reversing age-related decrements in skeletal muscle structure and function, it needs to be promoted as a lifelong habitual practice rather than just implemented in later life.

 

Therefore may add to the strong justification for promoting physical activity as a lifelong practice, rather than just trying to implement it late in life, when individuals have already succumbed to many of the maladies associated with ageing and a chronic habitual sedentary lifestyle.