This refers to the physiological process of increasing the net mass of non-reproductive, structural body tissues, most notably skeletal muscle, bone, and connective tissue. It represents a state of positive anabolic balance where the rate of tissue synthesis and deposition exceeds the rate of catabolic breakdown. Optimizing somatic tissue accretion is critical for maintaining strength, mobility, and metabolic reserve throughout the aging process. This process is essential for countering age-related frailty.
Origin
The term is rooted in general physiology and gerontology, where the loss of lean body mass, or sarcopenia, is a major marker of frailty and poor health outcomes. The concept of ‘accretion’ is used to emphasize the active, positive accumulation of these tissues, often in response to specific stimuli like resistance training or hormonal therapy. It is a core metric in body composition analysis. The scientific literature strongly supports the anabolic drive for this process.
Mechanism
Accretion is driven by a complex interplay of mechanical, nutritional, and hormonal signals that stimulate anabolic pathways within the target cells. Resistance exercise provides the mechanical tension that initiates signaling cascades like mTOR, while adequate protein intake supplies the necessary amino acid building blocks. Anabolic hormones, including Growth Hormone, IGF-1, and Testosterone, act as key modulators by promoting gene transcription and protein synthesis within muscle and bone cells. This synergy is necessary for sustained tissue growth and repair.
We use cookies to personalize content and marketing, and to analyze our traffic. This helps us maintain the quality of our free resources. manage your preferences below.
Detailed Cookie Preferences
This helps support our free resources through personalized marketing efforts and promotions.
Analytics cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website, improving user experience and website performance.
Personalization cookies enable us to customize the content and features of our site based on your interactions, offering a more tailored experience.