Understanding the complex interplay between environmental exposures and the aging musculoskeletal system is critical for improving healthspan and quality of life in older adults. Environmental factors—including air and water pollution, climate, urbanization, socioeconomic status, occupational exposures, diet, and physical activity—are increasingly recognized as pivotal determinants of musculoskeletal health throughout the lifespan. Yet, their contributions to the onset, progression, and outcomes of musculoskeletal aging remain incompletely understood.

This Research Topic seeks to bring together original research, reviews, and perspectives that explore the mechanisms by which environmental factors influence musculoskeletal aging. We welcome studies addressing the impact of environmental exposures on bone, muscle, cartilage, and connective tissue at the molecular, cellular, systemic, or population level. Interdisciplinary approaches examining gene-environment interactions, epigenetic modifications, and the role of lifestyle factors are highly encouraged.

Key themes of interest include (but are not limited to):

1. The effects of environmental pollutants (e.g., heavy metals, particulate matter, endocrine disruptors) on bone and muscle health.
2. Relationships between climate and geographic factors (e.g., temperature, UV exposure, altitude) and musculoskeletal aging.
3. Impact of physical activity environments (built and natural) and socioeconomic factors on mobility and frailty.
4. Dietary exposures, nutrition, and their role in musculoskeletal maintenance and decline.
5. Occupational or lifestyle exposures contributing to musculoskeletal diseases in older populations.
6. Mechanistic insights into how environmental factors modulate cellular pathways involved in musculoskeletal degeneration.
7. Epidemiological and clinical studies on interventions aimed at mitigating detrimental environmental effects on musculoskeletal aging.

By integrating diverse research approaches and disciplines, this topic aims to advance understanding of how environmental exposures shape the trajectory of musculoskeletal aging. Such insights are crucial for informing public health strategies, clinical guidelines, and policy interventions aimed at preserving functional independence and promoting healthy aging.

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From Pollution to Physical Activity: Environmental Influences on Musculoskeletal Aging