Table 1.

Physiological and Anatomical Changes Related to Aging

	Changes	Functional Effects
Cardiovascular	- Increased collagen matrix in Tunica Media - Loss of elastin fibers - Cardiac hypertrophy: septum thickening - Decreased cardiomyocytes and increased extracellular matrix	- Heart and vascular stiffness - Mayor endothelial dysfunction - Explosive volume preserved - Increased risk of arrhythmias
Renal	- Thinning renal cortex - Glomerular sclerosis arteries - Glomerular basement membrane Thickening	- Decreased ability to concentrate urine. Lower renin and aldosterone levels - Lower vitamin D hydroxylation
Glucose Metabolism	- Increased visceral fat - Fat tissue infiltration - Less beta cell mass	- Increased production of adipokines and inflammatory factors inflammatory factors - Greater insulin resistance and diabetes
Bones	- Decreased bone mineral content	- Increased fractures and falls - Osteoporosis
Muscular	- Loss of muscle mass - Less type II fibers - Fat infiltration	- Decreased strength and power - Falls - Fragility
Central Nervous System	- Less brain mass - Increased cerebrospinal fluid - Low neuronal loss, focused - Changes in neuronal arborization	- Less targeting neuronal activity - Lower processing speed - Decreased working memory - Less motor skills
Body Composition	- Increased body fat - Increased Body Mass Index (BMI)	- Increased risk of disease.