This 2016 review outlines pharmacologic strategies for sarcopenia, characterized by loss of muscle mass and function. While resistance exercise, protein supplementation, and vitamin D remain foundational treatments, pharmacologic options are under investigation. High-dose testosterone can increase muscle mass and strength but carries risks such as cardiovascular events and prostate enlargement.
This 2017 systematic review examined the effects of magnesium (Mg) on exercise performance, analyzing both animal and human studies. The findings suggest that magnesium supplementation can enhance physical performance by improving glucose availability, reducing lactate accumulation, and supporting muscle energy metabolism. In human studies, higher magnesium status correlated with better
This randomized controlled trial examined the effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on physical performance and muscle mass in healthy older adults, demonstrating significant improvements in muscle function and exercise capacity. HBOT, which involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized environment, enhances oxygen availability in tissues, stimulating angiogenesis, reducing inflammation,
The article “The influence of estrogen on skeletal muscle: sex matters” reviews the role of estrogen in skeletal muscle function and its sex-specific effects. It discusses how estrogen can improve muscle contractile properties, reduce muscle damage after exercise, and modulate inflammation. Animal studies suggest estrogen has protective effects on muscle
The review article “How sex hormones promote skeletal muscle regeneration” explores the role of androgens and estrogens in skeletal muscle repair, highlighting how aging-related declines in these hormones reduce muscle regeneration efficiency. While androgens are well-known for their anabolic effects, recent findings indicate that estrogens also enhance muscle regeneration by
