Introduction to the Age and Ageing Sarcopenia collection

Sarcopenia – the loss of skeletal muscle mass and function that accompanies ageing – is now an established pathophysiological entity. There is increasing appreciation of its importance, and a growing, although incomplete, understanding of its causes. It is closely linked to physical frailty, and we are now at a point where detection of sarcopenia is beginning to be incorporated into clinical practice, and where potential interventions are beginning to undergo large clinical trials.