DUYGU TUTAN, JAN ULFBERG, NİLAY BEKTAŞ AKPINAR, ÜLKEM ŞEN UZELİ, SEMİN TURHAN, TUBA KAYIR
The Injector - 2025;4(1):19-25
Sarcopenia, characterized by the progressive loss of muscle mass and function, represents a significant global health concern, not only among older adults but also in younger populations due to modern lifestyle changes. Emerging evidence highlights sleep as a crucial lifestyle factor influencing sarcopenia. Both insufficient sleep duration (fewer than 6 hours) and excessive sleep (exceeding 8 hours) have been linked to an elevated risk of sarcopenia. The underlying mechanisms encompass hormonal dysregulation, chronic inflammatory processes, oxidative stress, and insulin resistance, all of which contribute to progressive muscle deterioration. Additionally, prolonged sleep has been linked to reductions in muscle mass, poor physical performance, and exacerbation of sarcopenia severity. This review provides a comprehensive survey of the relationship between sarcopenia and sleep, assessing both duration and quality. It explores the intricate physiological pathways linking sleep disturbances to muscle degeneration, emphasizing the U-shaped association between sleep duration and sarcopenia risk. Furthermore, we discuss the potential for optimizing sleep habits as a cost-effective, nonpharmacological strategy to prevent and manage sarcopenia in contemporary society. Addressing this relationship as a growing public health challenge, we advocate for global initiatives and future research to unravel the underlying mechanisms and develop targeted prevention strategies.
