title: Intermuscular fat: a review of the consequences and causes.
abstract: Muscle's structural composition is an important factor underlying muscle strength and physical function in older adults. There is an increasing amount of research to support the clear disassociation between the loss of muscle lean tissue mass and strength with aging. This disassociation implies that factors in addition to lean muscle mass are responsible for the decreases in strength and function seen with aging. Intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) is a significant predictor of both muscle function and mobility function in older adults and across a wide variety of comorbid conditions such as stroke, spinal cord injury, diabetes, and COPD. IMAT is also implicated in metabolic dysfunction such as insulin resistance. The purpose of this narrative review is to provide a review of the implications of increased IMAT levels in metabolic, muscle, and mobility function. Potential treatment options to mitigate increasing levels of IMAT will also be discussed.
authors: Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 10 North Green Street, BT/18/GRECC, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA ; Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
authors: Odessa
authors: 0000-0002-8801-7231
authors: O
authors: Addison
authors: Department of Physical Therapy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA ; Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
authors: Robin L
authors: RL
authors: Marcus
authors: Department of Physical Therapy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA ; Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA ; Department of Orthopedics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA.
authors: Paul C
authors: PC
authors: Lastayo
authors: Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 10 North Green Street, BT/18/GRECC, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA ; Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
authors: Alice S
authors: AS
authors: Ryan