The rate of fitness loss (deterioration in skin and hair condition, arthritis, cataracts and other sensory deterioration, muscle weakness, mobility, locomotion, cage climbing, sociality, etc). in AL animals also follows a different pattern, varying in extent and relative time of onset when compared to CR animals.
Peripheral neuropathy, muscle weakness and mobility deficits may also continue years after treatment [ 16, 17].
We explore the causes and consequence of reduced muscle mass leading to sarcopenia, muscle weakness and mobility limitations, in order to decipher some potential targets on which to act to allow a "better ageing" for the elderly population.
Sarcopenia is an "age-related" and "obesity-related" loss of muscle mass leading to muscle weakness, limited mobility, and increased susceptibility to injury; an understanding of the underlying causes of muscle loss is critical for the development of strategies and therapies to preserve muscle mass and function [ 14].
Unlike the DARE study population with uncomplicated type 2 diabetes, the majority of type 2 diabetic patients suffer from some form of muscle weakness, osteoarthritis, mobility impairments, peripheral and/or cardiovascular disease, not only resulting in reduced exercise tolerance [ 23], but also in a potentially high risk of overload injuries [3, Praet et al., unpublished results].
As a result, ALS causes muscle weakness that affects mobility and speech, and ultimately results in death, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Since elderly people often show symptoms similar to those in diabetic patients (i.e. de-conditioning, muscle weakness, decreased joint mobility and decreased foot sensibility), we assumed that programmes developed for the elderly might also improve gait and balance of diabetic patients.
Moreover, the older cancer survivor's admitted muscle weakness limits their functional mobility (e.g., prolonged walking and stair climbing) [ 3- 5].
Profound muscle weakness results in loss of mobility by about the age of 10 12, and eventually death around age 20 30, due to respiratory and/or cardiac failure.
Astym therapy is applied with specialized instruments that have shown evidence of stimulating soft-tissue healing [ 2, 3], and improving impairments such as pain, limitations in mobility, and muscle weakness that may accompany musculoskeletal pathology [ 4– 13].
Low muscle mass in the legs is associated with muscle weakness, poor lower-extremity performance, and mobility loss in older adults (2, 3).
