Sarcopenia is the loss of lean body mass and muscle weakness associated with advancing age.

Muscle strength is a strong predictor of severe mobility limitation, slow gait speed, increased fall risk, risk of hospitalization, and high mortality rate.

Several recent studies show that factors such as changes in central nervous system drive, peripheral nerve dysfunction, alterations in the neuromuscular junction structure and function, fat infiltration, and a number of complex cellular and molecular changes at the level of single muscle fibers impair muscle force generation and power production.

This review discusses the cellular and molecular changes that underlie sarcopenia and may have implications for intervention, such as targeted exercise, nutrition and use of medication.