PHYSIOLOGY OF AGING:

CARDIORESPIRATORY AND MUSCULAR SYSTEMS

What is the CAUSE of this?

· Decreased strength of heart

· Stiffening of arteries

· Decreased capacity for muscles to use oxygen

· Reduced elasticity of smooth muscle in bronchi and lungs

· Altered shape of thoracic cavity with age

What can be done to PREVENT this?

· Physical activity

· Moderate aerobic exercise has shown to indirectly slow the rate of cardiorespiratory decline by reducing the rate of vertebral degeneration and by improving the muscles in the thoracic cavity

· Vigorous exercise has shown to slow the aging process at the cellular level and is also related to maximal aerobic exercise capacity

· Maintaining fitness level

· Helps in reducing mobility issues

· Attain a better quality of life

CARDIORESPIRATORY fitness is defined as:

· the ability to perform large muscle movement over a sustained period; related to the capacity of the heart-lung system to deliver oxygen for sustained energy production. Also called cardiorespiratory endurance or aerobic fitness.

· An individual’s decline in fitness tends to start around the age of 30 and is typically seen to decline at approximately 10% per decade. It accelerates even further toward the end of the lifespan, even in healthy persons.

Further Resources:

American Academy of Health and Fitness

http://www.aahf.info/sec_exercise/section/muscular.htm

http://www.aahf.info/sec_exercise/section/cardiovascular.htm

http://www.aahf.info/sec_exercise/section/respiratory.htm

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GASaqPv0t0g

What is the CAUSE of this?

· Sedentary behavior

· Hormonal changes

· Insulin resistance

· Genetic susceptibility

· Appetite loss

· Nutritional deficiencies

· A shift in muscle fiber composition

What can be done to PREVENT this?

· Physical exercise

· Nutritional support

· Resistance exercise

· Strength training program

MUSCULAR fitness is defined as:

· muscular endurance refers to the ability of a muscle or muscle group to exert force against a resistance over a sustained period of time, while muscular strength refers to the maximal force a muscle group can exert during contraction