Review: skeletal muscle aging as loss of tissue resilience, not just muscle mass
This review describes skeletal muscle aging as a gradual loss of tissue resilience rather than a simple decline in muscle mass, linking proteostasis, mitochondrial, inflammatory and senescence processes to regeneration, denervation and systemic signals. Exercise and nutrition are presented as the clinical foundation; other strategies are emerging or investigational. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
The review says skeletal muscle aging cannot be explained by muscle mass loss alone. [1]
The review describes muscle aging as a gradual loss of tissue resilience rather than a simple decline in muscle mass. [1]
Exercise and nutritional optimization are presented as the clinical foundation, while other strategies are emerging or investigational. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Review (abstract only)
- Population / context
- Skeletal muscle in aging, as described in a review
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- September 21, 2026
Muscle aging beyond mass loss in this review
The review states that skeletal muscle aging is a major cause of frailty, metabolic dysfunction and loss of independence in later life, yet cannot be explained by muscle mass loss alone. It describes aged muscle as shaped by coordinated changes in myofibers, stem and stromal cells, immune and vascular compartments, neuromuscular control and systemic metabolism, and frames muscle aging as a gradual loss of tissue resilience rather than a simple decline in mass.
Supporting source [1]
Linked processes and systemic signals in the review
Impaired proteostasis, mitochondrial dysfunction, chronic inflammation and cellular senescence are discussed as major, closely linked processes. According to the review, they contribute to defective regeneration, matrix remodeling, fibro-adipogenic conversion and denervation, and are influenced by endocrine, metabolic, liver-, adipose-, gut- and brain-derived signals.
Supporting source [1]
Exercise and nutrition as foundation; other strategies emerging
The review summarizes current therapeutic evidence with an emphasis on exercise and nutritional optimization as the clinical foundation. Mitochondrial, anabolic, senescence-directed and regenerative strategies are considered emerging or investigational approaches. The review aims to move beyond descriptive changes in mass and strength toward understanding the biological processes that limit muscle function in later life.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
This explainer is based only on the abstract; the full text was not reviewed. The source is a review, not a new study, so no sample, follow-up or outcome data are reported here. Statements about processes and therapies are the review's synthesis; emerging strategies are not established treatments.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Liu T, Hu Y. · europepmc.org · September 21, 2026