Physiological Changes in Aging

Miracles of Getting Older

• The presentation is about the physiological changes that occur with aging.
• The presentation notes that cardiovascular, sensory, musculoskeletal changes occur with age.
• Individual, environment, and task are factors to consider in how age affects people.
• A joke about determining advanced age—judging by people's reaction if you fall down in front of them.
• The share of seniors aged 65 years and over has exceeded the share of children under 15 years for the first time in census history.
• Sarcopenia is the age-related loss of muscle mass – a decline of 2% year after the age of 50.
• The presentation also discusses the underlying mechanisms like reduction in muscle fiber size (Type II - Fast Twitch), reduction in muscle fibers, reduction in motor units, altered hormones, and altered diet.
• The presentation provides medical imaging to compare the muscle structures in young vs. old athletes and non-athletes.
• The discussion also shows bone growth across the lifespan ("a pediatric disease with geriatric consequences").
• There are images demonstrating osteoporosis (a condition where the bones become weak and brittle).
• The presentation discusses how these changes translate to practice—involving functional capacity, strength, VO2Max, endurance, balance, and range of motion measures.
• There are examples of older adults who are healthy and active despite aging.

This presentation explores the physiological changes that occur with aging, highlighting cardiovascular, sensory, and musculoskeletal transformations. It discusses factors such as individual differences and environment, along with age-related loss of muscle mass and its underlying mechanisms. Medical imaging comparisons between young and old individuals will be presented to illustrate these changes.