2021
Overview
The physiology of aging is the study of the progressive functional changes that occur in the body's cells, tissues, and organ systems over the course of a lifetime. As organisms age, they typically experience declines in physiological reserve and resilience, including changes in cardiovascular and respiratory function, muscle mass and strength, bone density, immune competence, hormonal regulation, and nervous system performance. These changes arise from a combination of intrinsic biological processes—such as cellular senescence, oxidative damage, mitochondrial dysfunction, and altered gene expression—and extrinsic influences including lifestyle, nutrition, and environment. Understanding the physiology of aging is important for distinguishing normal aging from disease, for promoting healthy aging, and for developing interventions that preserve function and quality of life in later years. Within the journal's physiology scope, this topic connects fundamental mechanisms of cellular and systemic decline to practical concerns of maintaining health across the lifespan. Research relevant to this broad scope includes work examining healthy aging and muscle dysfunction and the potential role of melatonin, which engages with the physiological changes affecting muscle function during aging. By clarifying how the body changes with age, this field informs strategies to support function and well-being in older adults. This page gathers peer-reviewed, open-access research relevant to physiology, aging, and the maintenance of health.
Research published in this journal
1 peer-reviewed article, ranked by relevance. Each links to its DOI.