The influence of obesity on muscle mass and quality in older age
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Understanding the role of obesity in the deterioration of skeletal muscle mass and quality in older age: New mechanistic insights
IRAS ID
246702
Contact name
Leigh Breen
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Birmingham
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Muscle loss in older age increases the risk of disability, institutionalization and early death. Given the growing number of older individuals in society, it is imperative that we understand the factors that cause age-related muscle loss so that we can develop strategies to prevent this occurrence. Age-related muscle loss may be explained by a reduced muscle growth response to nutrition compared with younger persons. We recently demonstrated that this reduced muscle growth response in old age is worse in obese older individuals. Despite a poorer muscle growth response to nutrition and poorer muscle quality (i.e. high levels of fat within the muscle and lower relative strength) in obese older individuals, overall muscle mass and the size of individual muscle fibres are preserved to a greater extent than lean older individuals. We suggest that the protective effects of obesity on muscle mass may his may be due to the greater load placed upon the muscles of obese individuals during weight-bearing activities (i.e. walking to the shops, climbing stairs). To understand the role of obesity in the control of muscle mass and quality in older age, we will determine whether the muscle growth response to weight-bearing exercise is greater in obese compared with lean older and young individuals. Secondly, we will investigate whether, and to what extent, the content, location and type of fat cells stored within the muscle are associated with muscle growth responses in these same individuals. This project will enhance our understanding of the role obesity on muscle health in older individuals, which will ultimately lead us to develop new ways to dramatically improve muscle health and quality of life in these individuals.
REC name
West Midlands - Edgbaston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/WM/0234
Date of REC Opinion
20 Dec 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion