The emerging role of skeletal muscle mitochondrial dynamics in exercise and ageing
Rafael A.Casuso Ageing Research Reviews Volume 58, March 2020, 101025
Highlights
• Mitochondrial shape can change in order to maintain cellular function.
• Training enlarges the functional mitochondrial network and rises its fusion capacity.
• Aged muscle show an enlarged but dysfunctional mitochondrial network.
• Exercise improves mitochondrial function and dynamics in aged subjects.
• Endurance exercise may prevent muscle waste by improving mitochondrial dynamics.
Mitochondria are the hub for energy production within living cells. They can undergo morphological changes in response to nutrient availability and cellular stress. Here, we review how exercise chronically and acutely affects mitochondrial dynamics. Moreover, we discuss whether mitochondrial dysfunction observed in elderly subjects is due to the ageing process per se or due to the associated sedentary state. Finally, we study how endurance exercise can improve mitochondrial dynamics in older subjects, thereby improving their overall health and likely limiting muscle waste.