Health
The hidden switch behind one of the biggest paradoxes in aging muscle
Our muscles are built from bundles of fibers. Some are fast-twitch, tuned for quick, powerful bursts of effort but quick to tire.
AI Summary
Muscle strength declines with age because the mitochondria that power muscle fibers become less efficient. Human muscles contain fast‑twitch fibers that generate quick, powerful bursts but fatigue rapidly, and slow‑twitch fibers that support endurance and contain more mitochondria. Aging reduces overall muscle mass and impairs mitochondrial function within both fiber types. The result is weaker, less resilient muscle tissue in older adults.
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