Aging changes in the bones - muscles - joints

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Flexibility exercise	Osteoarthritis	Osteoarthritis	Osteoporosis
The structure of a joint

Some joints, such as the ankle, typically experience little change with aging.

Lean body mass decreases, caused in part by loss of muscle tissue (atrophy). The rate and extent of muscle changes seems to be genetically determined. Muscle changes often begin in the 20s in men and the 40s in women.

Lipofuscin (an age-related pigment) and fat are deposited in muscle tissue. The muscle fibers shrink. Muscle tissue is replaced more slowly, and lost muscle tissue may be replaced with a tough fibrous tissue. This is most noticeable in the hands, which may appear thin and bony.

Muscle tissue changes, combined with normal aging changes in the nervous system, cause muscles to have reduced tone and contractility. Muscles may become rigid with age and may lose tone even if exercised regularly.

EFFECT OF CHANGES

Bones become more brittle and may break more easily. Height decreases, primarily caused by shortening of the trunk and spine.

Inflammation, pain, stiffness and deformity may result from breakdown of the joint structures. Almost all elderly people are affected by joint changes, ranging from minor stiffness to severe arthritis.

The posture may become progressively stooped (bent) and the knees and hips more flexed. The neck may become tilted, and the shoulders may narrow while the pelvis, on the other hand, may become wider.

Movement slows and may become limited. The walking pattern (gait) becomes slower and shorter. Walking may become unsteady, and there is less arm swinging. Fatigue occurs more readily, and overall energy may be reduced.

Strength and endurance change. Loss of muscle mass reduces strength. However, endurance may be enhanced by changes in the muscle fibers. Aging athletes with healthy hearts and lungs may find that performance improves in events that require endurance, and decreases slightly in events that require short bursts of high-speed performance.

COMMON PROBLEMS

Osteoporosis is a common problem, especially for older women. Broken bones occur more readily, and compression fractures of the vertebrae can cause pain and reduce mobility.