Effects of ageing on human neuromuscular function: implications for exercise

Abstract

This review focuses on the age related declines in muscle mass and strength, including a discussion of the potential for improvement of neuromuscular function following exercise training programmes. In the literature, limb muscles have been compared between groups of men and women throughout the adult age range, showing that decreases in voluntary strength do not become apparent until after the age of about 60. Rate of decline then amounts to 10 to 15% per decade, stemming from age related decreases in the amount of excitable muscle tissue. However, high-resistance exercise training programmes are effective in improving both muscle size and voluntary strength, even in very old and frail men and women. These improvements may yield significant gains in the performance of sports and the activities of daily living, such as walking ability. Maintenance exercise programmes must also be advocated to avoid rapid detraining effects seen in elderly people who become sedentary.