Myopenia is a syndrome characterized by low muscle mass and muscle function. When the muscle mass and muscle strength are low, it can be diagnosed as sarcopenia, and the elderly are prone to sarcopenia without knowing it. In the process of aging, the physiological condition gradually degenerates, and the elderly have many chronic diseases and physical defects, resulting in decreased muscle mass and inability to exercise. Human muscle accounts for about 30 ~ 50% of body weight, and the actual muscle mass depends on personal health and body fat. Clinical research shows that after 40 years old, the average muscle mass of adults decreases by 8% every 10 year, and the loss rate accelerates after 70 years old, and decreases by 10 year/5%.
Observing five signs, we can know that the problem of sarcopenia is slow walking: it is difficult to walk indoors on the flat ground (walking within 6 meters, the speed per second is less than 0.8 meters). Decreased grip strength: it is difficult to carry things, and the 5 kg salad oil can and towel can't be lifted. Difficulty in moving: it becomes difficult to get up from the seat, for example, you need to hold the handrail to get up; 10 stairs are difficult to climb, for example, you need to rest after climbing three or two times. Repeated falls: the probability of falling increases, and it has fallen more than twice in the past 1 year. Weight loss: unintentional weight loss, weight loss of 5% within 6 months. For example, an elderly person who originally weighed 60 kilograms should be careful if he loses 3 kilograms for no reason within six months. In addition to observing the above five signs, Katsuya Iijima, an associate professor at the University of Tokyo, has also developed a simple method to test sarcopenia, that is, the thumb and forefinger of both hands circle around the calf (as shown in the figure below). If the gap is large, you may suffer from sarcopenia.