Aging is associated with a progressive loss of muscle mass and strength, a process called sarcopenia. The most evident metabolic explanation for muscle decline in elderly people is an imbalance between protein synthesis and breakdown rates, but other causes like neurodegenerative processes, reduction in anabolic hormone productions or sensitivity such insulin, growth, and sex hormones, dysregulation of cytokine secretions, modifications in the response to inflammatory events, inadequate nutritional intakes, and sedentary lifestyle are involved. The sequela of sarcopenia often contributes to frailty, decreased independence, and subsequently increased health care costs.

We invite investigators to contribute original research and review articles that will help to understand the biochemical, molecular, and physiological mechanisms behind aging, as well as new strategies to delay or even fight against sarcopenia. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• New strategies and/or therapeutics in sarcopenia
• Biomarkers in sarcopenia
• Knowledge of molecular and cellular mechanisms controlling protein wasting
• Muscle performance and sarcopenia/physical activity and sarcopenia
• Specific amino acids supplementation and aging/frailty/sarcopenia
• Protein intakes and quality of dietary proteins: qualitative and quantitative aspects, daily protein feeling pattern, and aging/frailty/sarcopenia
• Role of neuropeptides in control of appetite with aging, in relation to sarcopenia
• Autophagy/Macroautophagy and aging: apoptosis and aging, in relation to sarcopenia
• Antioxidants and aging/sarcopenia
• Hormone replacement and sarcopenia
• Development of sarcopenic obesity and insulin resistance in the elderly/Prevention of obesity/muscle impairment (modulation by calorie restriction by example)
• Pharmaconutrients and sarcopenia
• Cytokine inhibitors and sarcopenia
• Cognitive function and sarcopenia
• Potential roles of gender and ethnic differences in the consequences of sarcopenia
• Psychological and social dimensions of sarcopenia
• Role of central/peripheral nervous system in sarcopenia

Articles published in this special issue will not be subject to the journal's Article Processing Charges.

Before submission authors should carefully read over the journal's Author Guidelines, which are located at http://www.hindawi.com/journals/jar/guidelines/. Prospective authors should submit an electronic copy of their complete manuscript through the journal Manuscript Tracking System at http://mts.hindawi.com/ according to the following timetable: