INTRODUCTION Sarcopenia is the loss of muscle mass and function associated to age. Rosemberg first spoke of sarcopenia in 1989. A progressive loss of muscle mass occurs from approximately 40 years of age. This loss is estimated at about 8% by decade until the age of 70 years, after which the loss increases to 15% by decade. Healthcare costs attributable to sarcopenia in the United States (US) in 2000 were estimated to be 18.5 billion dollars.