The term Sarcopenia can be defined as the age-related loss of muscle mass causing a multitude of negative metabolic changes associated with decreased health and vitality in older individuals.
This premature loss of muscle mass and strength is due to insufficient physical exertion throughout a person's life.
For decades, the medical community has paid little attention to the loss of muscle mass that occurs with aging instead research has focused on the bone thief osteoporosis.
Now age related loss of muscle mass and strength is getting more attention as tens of millions of Baby Boomers world wide are turning or approaching the age of 60.
This slow, barely noticeable loss of muscle begins around age 30 with the rate increasing sharply around age 60.
As sleek, firm muscle disappears, the metabolic rate is slowed, making it harder to control body weight, accelerating obesity and increasing the risk of life threatening diseases such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes.
This stealth like villain steals 500 grams of muscle mass from its victim each year and if left untreated has the potential to ruin a person's life.
So why haven't we heard more about Sarcopenia and its debilitating effects? Many attempts have made to inform the public over the years, especially by the Fitness Industry but it spite of these attempts the topic still has a low profile and is not receiving the attention and publicity it deserves.
Could it be that the drug companies haven't developed a drug to build muscle artificially or prevent muscle loss yet? Perhaps more tellingly, Sarcopenia's proven antidote, strength training exercise will never make any money for a pharmaceutical company.
Only strength training can halt and reverse muscle loss.
There are no drugs, no health foods, and no recreational activities that will do the job.
It seems so wrong that we need the huge marketing budgets of the drug companies for word to reach the public.
Sarcopenia is luckily becoming a hot topic in aging research now that it is being realized what a devastating and debilitating effect is has on the quality of the last 10-20 years of a persons life.
As the proportion of older persons in the population continues to grow, Sarcopenia will have a dramatic impact on their lives and is predicted to be one of the biggest health problems the world faces.
In the coming years health care systems are predicted to be overwhelmed by the costs associated with this preventable condition and the diseases it precedes such as obesity, osteoporosis, heart disease and diabetes.
The goods new is you do not have to be a part of this.
If all of us would take more responsibility and be doing our best to maintain our strength and muscle mass as we age we can conquer the preventable disease of Sarcopenia and the misery it brings.
By building and maintaining strength and thus health continuously, older people will be able to take care of themselves and live independently in their own homes for as long as possible instead of being forced into a nursing home.
While it's best to start exercising early in life, several studies show it's never too late to regain some muscle strength.
While many people focus their workouts on walking, cycling or jogging or other aerobic activities, that doesn't help counter the gradual deterioration of muscle strength.
Non-demanding activities such as gardening or bowling cannot provide the required stimulation and desirable benefits of a proper, structured strength building exercise program.
Even if an individual partakes in a very active lifestyle, they still must exercise.
A proper exercise program should be prescribed by a Fitness Professional and should incorporate at least 60% strength training exercise.
This will ensure the program is safe, effective and progressive.
Correct form of the most important multi-joint exercises that work several muscle groups together must be taught along with the correct level of intensity to provide the stimulus for strength increases.
Imagine having lots of additional years to enjoy your friends and family or watch your children and grandchildren grow.
You could start a new career, or travel, but you must treat your health as priority.
Keep maintaining your strength, vitality and most importantly your independence and ability to do things for yourself so you can finish the race of life strong.