Hence, the functional reserve capacities of the skeletal muscles decline with age, largely due to diminished levels of physical activity. As a result daily tasks once taken for granted become progressively more difficult, and eventually impossible, to perform. In illustration, a great deal of muscle force is required to simply stand up or to climb stairs. Therefore, skeletal system is relying upon the reserve capacity of the heart to provide the endurance needed to perform such activities. If an elderly person does not engage in some sort of endurance-based activities, he or she will not have the cardiac reserve capacity needed for daily tasks. More importantly, diminished capacity may not counteract illnesses or diseases. Although strength-based activities help the cardiac reserve, it may not benefit the skeletal system. "While resistance exercise promotes fiber hypertrophy in skeletal muscles, the explosive power of muscles still declines with age. Hence, while physical activity is important in attenuating age-related changes in muscle function and its reserve capacity, it delays rather than prevents the deleterious effects of aging" (Lakatta, 1994).
As physiological changes occur in the musculo-skeletal system, there is generalized atrophy of all muscles accompanied by a replacement of some muscle tissue by fat deposits. As a result, some loss of muscle tone and strength is evident. For example, the ability to breathe deeply is reduced, coupled with diminished gastro-intestinal activity, thus leading to constipation or bladder incontinence, particularly in women. Additionally, calcium is lost, and bones become brittle. Accordingly, these results in osteoporosis and a reduction of weight bearing capacity, leading to the possibility of spontaneous fracture, vertebrae thinning, and weight reduction. Such changes contribute to vertebrae can calcification and postural changes. Critically, the joints undergo changes, resulting in arthritis, which is the most common chronic condition in the elderly.
Conclusion
Undoubtedly, the muscular cellular changes have a direct correlation to several disorders occurring in two systems experienced by the geriatric population: Muscular and Skeletal.
Changes in the cardiac muscular system result in atrophy of the heart muscle, especially in the left ventricle, calcification of the heart valves, and loss of elasticity in artery walls. Similarly,...
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