World Sarcopenia Day Date in the current year: July 4, 2024

Sarcopenia is a type of muscle atrophy (the degenerative loss of skeletal muscle mass, quality, and strength) associated with aging and/or immobility. The exact causes of sarcopenia are unclear, but it is most likely the result of multiple interacting factors that come into play as we get older. According to statistics, everyone will experience 0.5–1% loss of skeletal muscle mass per year after the age of 50, but in some people muscle loss progresses at a much higher rate.

The estimated prevalence of sarcopenia in people aged 60 to 70 is 5–13%, increasing to 11–50% in people aged 80 or older. The disease affects over 50 million people around the globe and is projected to affect more than 200 millions in the next four decades.

Advanced sarcopenia can significantly affect one’s quality of life and result in disability, especially when combined with osteoporosis and/or arthritis. It causes difficulty walking, climbing stairs and even getting up from sitting, as well as increases the risk of falls and fractures. One of the worst things about sarcopenia is that it can result in a vicious circle: an initial lack of physical activity results in muscle loss, which makes it hard for people to be physically active, which causes muscle atrophy to progress further, etc.

There is no cure for sarcopenia, just like there is no cure for aging. However, it is possible to slow down its progression in order to maintain a good quality of life. Exercise is the intervention of choice for sarcopenia. Of course, the type and intensity of physical activity must be appropriate for your age, fitness level, and overall health. Yoga and pilates, for example, can strengthen your muscles even though they are not particularly vigorous. If you can’t exercise, at least try to walk as much as possible and move around your home instead of sitting or lying down all the time.

Adequate nutrition is also important for muscle strength because our bodies need enough protein to maintain muscle mass. As we age, our metabolism changes; older adults may not utilize dietary protein as efficiently as younger people, which contributes to muscle atrophy. To slow down the progression of sarcopenia, you need to make sure that your intake of protein and calories is sufficient.

World Sarcopenia Day was launched in 2019 to raise awareness of sarcopenia and provide people affected by the condition with access to resources on its management. It is promoted and supported by multiple national and international organizations that focus on sarcopenia or age-related conditions in general.

You can get involved with World Sarcopenia Day by learning more about the condition and sharing the information you’ve learned with others, donating to an organization that funds sarcopenia research, and spreading the word on social media with the hashtags #WorldSarcopeniaDay and #SarcopeniaDay.