As we get older we naturally begin feeling weaker and our bodies aren't as strong as they used to be resulting in more frequent injuries.
A team led by Ben Cosgrove at Cornell University was interest by this topic and, as he said, it "was really a question that had perplexed the skeletal muscle biology community." A few ideas were thrown around ranging from the idea that stem cells changed to the idea that other cell types had an influence on aging. To get an answer, the team sampled cells from young mice and old, geriatric mice. Using snake venom to induce an injury, the team was able to map out the functions of 29 different cell types. By closely analyzing each group of cells over a period of time, they were able to observe differences between the young cells and the old cells. The old cells, specifically immune cells, exhibited discoordination, showing up at the wrong time in too few numbers to repair the injury. Going off of that observation, they compared the performance of these old cells to an existing list of other cells all in an effort to evaluate the senescence of the cell across age. The senescence of the cell refers to the age of the cell and its ability to perform its function.
It is interesting to know that the cells that make our bodies also experience old age and can become senile. It's a weird connection to make but definitely an important one. Since the physical senescence of humans are most likely influenced by our aging cells, is it possible to make it so that we can prevent the senescence of these cells and keep our bodies physically fit. That also begs the question if keeping the body physically fit would keep the mind healthy as well.
