The Ageing body

Question 1

Ageing and the Nervous system

Answer 1

• Chorea develops- abnormal involuntary movement disorder. Brief, abrupt, irregular and unpredictable movements. Interfering with speech, swallowing, posture and gait
• Gait
• Brain mass decrease- particularly in the FC and the FC controls memory, impulse control and motor function.
• Parkinsonian signs- increase with age and is caused by the degeneration of nerve cells in the brain. Causing slowed movements, balance problems so increase risk of falls.

Question 2

Ageing and the Cardiovascular System

Answer 2

• Aorta and cardiac muscles decrease
• Cardiac muscles strength decrease, weaken overtime, left ventricle chamber becomes stiff so less blood is pumped out of the heart
• Cardiac output decreases. The volume of blood pumped out per minute decreases
• Heart rate decreases
• Increased systolic BP

Question 3

Ageing and the Respiratory system

Answer 3

• Residual lung vol- volume of air left after you breath out properly. It increases with age because lung elasticity is lower so can’t breath out as forcefully
• Total lung capacity- maximum volume of gas in the lungs after maximal inhalation. Total lung capacity remains constant
• Gas exchange- decreases- arterial O2 mismatch. Less O2 in, less CO2 out. Increase acidity in the body
• Maximum expiratory flow rate (amount of air than can be expelled)
  Reduced muscles action to force air out of the alveoli.
• Systolic blood pressure (force at which your heart pumps blood around your body)- Increased systolic blood pressure

Question 4

Ageing and the Muscular System

Answer 4

• Muscle strength decreases- strong predictor of severe mobility limitation, slow gait speed, increased fall risk, risk of hospitalization, and high mortality rate.
• Muscle size decreases
• Muscle fiber
• Tendons- reduction in cell density
• Ligaments- decrease in collagen synthesis, elastic modulus (ligaments become stretchy and floppy)