Use it or lose it – sarcopenia
Chronic irritation of the joints or simply a lack of training due to work or family overload very quickly lead to a regression of movement-related adaptations. This deconditioning occurs at least three times as quickly as it develops! The loss of tone (hypotonus) in the thigh muscles, for example, is the harbinger of sarcopenia – the visible loss of muscle mass. For the attentive observer of their own body, this process is easy to recognize.
Sarcopenia – Definition
Sarcopenia is an age-independent, rather nutrition-related syndrome that is defined by a combined decrease in muscle mass and muscle strength or performance. People with sarcopenia have a lower physical capacity and a higher tendency to fall – and thus to break bones. In addition, the quality of life deteriorates and there is a risk of loss of independence.
To put it simply: sarcopenia makes you look older, makes you frail, reduces mobility, increases the risk of falls and dependency as well as premature admission to a retirement or nursing home. Sarcopenia also shortens your life expectancy.
How does sarcopenia develop?
The following undesirable changes occur unnoticed as a result of the lack of effective training
- Reduction in mitochondrial mass and capillary vessel density
- Reduction of the heart
- Increase in heart rate at rest
- Decrease in body water content
- Weakening of glucose tolerance (ability to break down sugar)
- Reduction in bone density
- Loss of postural control and therefore increased risk of falling
- First and foremost, the totality of all neuromuscular sensors in the body is important for posture control. These provide information about position and changes in location. They are sensitive to vibrations, transmit stimuli and form the somatosensory system.
The diagnosis of poor postural regulation requires a functional and biochemical analysis of the causes in order to be able to correct them in a targeted manner – and not to shoot at symptoms with a “shotgun”.
It’s better to have a health check-up more often than a car inspection!
You regularly bring your vehicle in for a check-up. But what about you? How regularly do you have your general condition checked? Many people only go to the doctor when the damage is already irreparable.
A check-up at the Z.O.R. by Dr. Ulrich Frohberger – your orthopaedist in Münster – is very important at regular intervals and especially before resuming sport. In addition to a full-body orthopaedic examination, the main focus is on a targeted examination of your metabolism and neuromuscular coordination. After detailed questioning about your general, orthopaedic-health and sporting history, a thorough full-body examination and any imaging diagnostics will follow.
Measure – compensate for deficits – measure!
We are not satisfied with mere assumptions. Science means measuring – to document the initial situation, the progress and ultimately the success, as well as to prove the usefulness of the therapy carried out. At Z.O.R. Münster, scientifically accurate measurement systems are available to you as an alternative or supplement:
- Surface EMG to detect tense and weakened muscle areas
- GenuPlus – the isokinetic strength measurement and training system for the thigh muscles
- ABW Mapper 4D with leg axis measurement and 3D foot pressure analysis
- G-Walk – 3-D gait analysis to record the gait pattern
- Romberg test to assess postural neuromuscular stability and gait safety
The whole-body composition analysis “Inbody 770” is also of trend-setting importance, with precise information on the quantity and distribution of
- Muscle mass
- Water
- Fat
- Indication of your mitochondrial metabolism
Age is just a number –
Muscle building and individual therapy and training plans from the experts
Careful diagnostics and advice on existing illnesses or risk factors play a central role in Dr. Frohberger’s concept. From this, we at Z.O.R. – the Center for Regenerative Medicine – derive a written therapy and training recommendation for the type of sport you are doing or aiming to do, in addition to a personal consultation.
Therapy begins with gentle pain therapy and physical measures in our own physiotherapy and training therapy department. In the case of osteoarthritis and delayed healing, innovative magnetic resonance therapy (MBST) and interval hypoxia-hyperoxia therapy (IHHT) are used to activate cell metabolism in addition to possible injection treatment with hyaluronic acid and, in special cases, the body’s own plasma (ACP).
Training for sarcopenia
Sarcopenia training is strength training with a low dosage that improves effective everyday functions such as walking, climbing stairs, standing up and carrying, as well as muscle mass, strength and speed, and also reduces the risk of falling. In line with the saying “Prevention is better than cure”, sports physician Dr. Frohberger combines the latest scientific findings with the individual health conditions of his patients. “In contrast to curative and palliative medicine, preventive medicine primarily leads to a better quality of life in old age,” says the specialist.
As a rule, it is essential to change previous eating habits with the aim of achieving a functional improvement in the nervous system and building up muscle tissue. This requires an individual composition of protein, long-chain carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, etc., taking into account the physical condition and, in particular, the performance of the internal organs.
Gender medical aspects
In sports with quick changes of direction, women are 2-8 times more likely to injure their anterior cruciate ligament than men. This is due to the fact that women land differently than men when jumping, which could have to do with a more X-legged position. The muscular training condition of the thigh muscles also plays a special role here. From this, targeted neuromuscular, gender-specific training can be derived to reduce the risk of injury, for example when skiing. Gender-specific training programs reduce the risk of osteoarthritis as a result of previous avoidable sports injuries!
Incidentally, there is no age limit for the Z.O.R. health check-up. If you are fit and want to stay that way – you can also have a regular check-up!