The Role of Muscle Mass, Muscle Quality, and Body Composition in Risk for the Metabolic Syndrome and Functional Decline in Older Adults

Abstract

Age-related body composition changes include both loss of muscle mass (sarcopenia) and increase in fat mass, which jointly contribute to a decline in metabolic functions. Muscle quality is positively related to functional capacity and a lower risk for the development of the metabolic syndrome in aging populations. Muscle quality and muscle strength have become more reliable measures of functional capacity and mobility disability than muscle mass quantity. Recent reports also suggest that excess fat mass in older adults may impair muscle quality and that combination of excess body fat and muscle loss, a condition termed sarcopenic obesity, has even greater consequences on the muscle architecture and function than age-related muscle loss alone. A current challenge for clinicians and researchers is to develop interventions that will help decrease fat mass levels and maintain good muscle quality and strength levels in high-risk older adults.