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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2016 Nov 1.
Published in final edited form as: Ageing Res Rev. 2015 Oct 14;24(0 0):304–327. doi: 10.1016/j.arr.2015.09.005

Figure 1.

Figure 1

The conceptual model illustrates important factors that can affect physical function during aging and ultimately maintenance of health and independence in older adults. Biological mechanisms and behavioral factors associated with reductions in physical function are illustrated in the outer ring. Specific health conditions that contribute to reductions in mobility and physical performance during aging are displayed in the middle ring. These conditions include but are not limited to cognitive decline, dynapenia, obesity, pain, and sarcopenia. Promising interventions for enhancing mobility and physical function, which target one or more biological mechanisms, behavioral factors, or health conditions contributing to functional decline, are shown in the outer edges. The ultimate goal is maintenance of health and independence, displayed in the inner most ring, through enhancement of mobility and/or physical function. This figure is not intended to be exhaustive but rather to highlight key biological mechanisms, behavioral factors, and health conditions that can contribute to functional decline in older adults, as well as promising interventions to attenuate declines in mobility and physical function during aging. MT: Mitochondria.