Livestrong discusses how posture can change with age with experts including Meghan Lamothe PT, DPT, OCS, ATC, physical therapist at HSS, who shares strategies to help manage and possibly prevent the changes.

Lamothe explained that it is problematic for posture when there is less space between the joints, and causes the discs between each vertebra have less water and become more brittle. She noted, “The biggest area where we lose muscle mass is in the core (i.e., in the front of the torso).”

 “Gravity exerts its force to bring the top half of the body forward, making it more rounded and stooped," she added. 

Lamothe continued, “The biggest area where we lose height is the spine (although arthritis and other joints in the body also play a role)."

Steps can also become shorter because tissues (such as muscles, tendons, ligaments and other connective tissues) become much less viable, elastic and powerful due to less water content but also age-associated muscle loss. She noted because of fewer type two muscle fibers there is less power and strength.

Lamothe explained that a shift in posture is a normal part of the aging process. “And while you can't prevent these physiological changes from happening, you can certainly slow the progression significantly,” she noted.

Read the full article at Livestrong.com.