Risk factors for chronic diseases, acute infections and elective procedures increase as individuals age. As such, there is a relatively high rate of hospital admission for elders, and many elders have reduced functional capacity, ADL limitations and decreased mobility upon discharge. Many studies have been conducted, that quantify a loss of muscle mass and power following prolonged bed rest, and it has also observed that individuals in nursing homes and other environments where mobility is generally reduced, have lower muscle mass and power than age-matched controls. To date, no specific study has assessed the effects on muscle mass and power on the often medically diverse hospital population of elders.