The Importance of Exercise and Nutrition in Sarcopenia Prevention and Management

It has been said that sarcopenia is a condition whose time has come.Over the last two decades the importance of muscle health and how it impacts the health, functional ability, and quality of life of a rapidly ageing global population has become evidently clear.Poor muscle health defined as the presence of inadequate muscle mass and function are the hallmarks of sarcopenia.The prevalence of sarcopenia increases with age, with peak muscle mass reached in early adulthood, followed by measurable loss of both muscle mass and strength from midadulthood onwards.In spite of the accumulation of a large body of knowledge and significant research efforts, there is currently no licensed therapeutic agent for the prevention or treatment of sarcopenia.Regular moderate-intensity physical activity should be encouraged and adopted across all age groups as a preventative measure.Progressive resistance exercise remains the best evidence-based therapy for individuals with sarcopenia, supported by adequate nutrition.For best outcomes, an individualised targeted approach is required for both exercise and nutrition interventions.Efforts will also be required to tailor the interventions to the specific needs, capabilities, and other co-morbidities that might be present in order to make the interventions achievable, sustainable, and beneficial, particularly in older adults and those whom are frail.Despite being pervasive, sarcopenia can be prevented and reversed.However, a large gap exists between knowledge and day-to-day clinical practice.