AUTHOR=Zullo Alberto , Fleckenstein Johannes , Schleip Robert , Hoppe Kerstin , Wearing Scott , Klingler Werner 

TITLE=Structural and Functional Changes in the Coupling of Fascial Tissue, Skeletal Muscle, and Nerves During Aging

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Physiology

VOLUME=Volume 11 - 2020

YEAR=2020

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2020.00592

DOI=10.3389/fphys.2020.00592

ISSN=1664-042X

ABSTRACT=Aging is a one-way process associated with profound structural and functional changes in the  organism. Indeed, the neuromuscular system undergoes a wide remodeling which involves muscles, fascia, and the central and peripheral nervous systems. As a result, intrinsic features of tissues, as well as their functional and structural coupling are affected and a decline in the overall physical performance occurs. In this review, we summarize the evidence about the effect of aging on skeletal muscle, fascial tissue, and nerve system. In particular, we address the structural and functional changes occurring within and between these tissues and revise the effect of inflammation in aging. Furthermore, from the clinical perspective, we describe some approaches for the study and the treatment of age-associated modifications in the neuromuscular system, such as imaging and ultrasound-based methods, as well as tissue manipulation techniques.