9.9 Aging and the Muscular System

• Aging causes reduction of size and power
• Skeletal muscle fibers become less elastic
• Fibrosis is a process when aging skeletal muscles develop, increasing amounts of fibrous connective tissue within endomysium and perimysium
• Tolerance for exercise decreases
• Ability to recover from muscular injuries decreases
• Why does a physician recommend a 60 year old patient continue exercising?

  Fibrosis makes muscles less flexible, but exercise prevent or lessen it