title: Physical exercise and sarcopenia in older people: position paper of the Italian Society of Orthopaedics and Medicine (OrtoMed).
abstract: Sarcopenia is the age-associated loss of skeletal muscle mass and function. It is a major clinical problem for older people and research in understanding of pathogenesis, clinical consequences, management, and socioeconomic burden of this condition is growing exponentially. The causes of sarcopenia are multifactorial, including inflammation, insulin resistance, changing endocrine function, chronic diseases, nutritional deficiencies and low levels of physical activity. Operational definition of sarcopenia combines assessment of muscle mass, muscle strength and physical performance. The diagnosis of sarcopenia should be based on having a low appendicular fat free mass in combination with low handgrip strength or poor physical functioning. Imaging techniques used for estimating lean body mass are computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, bioelectrical impedance analysis and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, the latter considered as the preferred method in research and clinical use. Pharmacological interventions have shown limited efficacy in counteracting the age-related skeletal muscle wasting. Recent evidence suggests physical activity and exercise, in particular resistance training, as effective intervention strategies to slow down sarcopenia. The Italian Society of Orthopaedics and Medicine (Or-toMed) provides this position paper to present the update on the role of exercise on sarcopenia in the elderly.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties and Dentistry, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Iolascon
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties and Dentistry, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Gioconda
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Di Pietro
authors.affiliation: Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gimigliano
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical and Oncology Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Giulia Letizia
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Mauro
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties and Dentistry, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Antimo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moretti
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties and Dentistry, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Teresa
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Giamattei
authors.affiliation: Centre for Metabolic Bone Diseases, Istituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ortolani
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, "Tor Vergata" University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Umberto
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Tarantino
authors.affiliation: Unit of Bone and Mineral Metabolism, Department of Surgery and Translational Medicine, Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism, School of Human Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Luisa
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Brandi
keywords: physical activity; physical exercise; sarcopenia