Sarcopenia, clinical implications for healthy ageing

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This webinar provides osteopaths with a practical and evidence-informed introduction to sarcopenia, the age-related loss of muscle mass and function now recognised as a progressive, chronic condition with major implications for mobility, independence, and quality of life. Participants will learn to define and classify sarcopenia based on updated international clinical guidelines and diagnostic frameworks.

The session will explore common risk factors, early clinical signs, and the broader health consequences of sarcopenia, particularly in ageing and chronic disease populations frequently encountered in osteopathic care.

Attendees will be introduced to validated screening and assessment tools that can be integrated into practice to identify at-risk patients early. The webinar will highlight key evidence-based management strategies including progressive resistance training, protein-focused nutritional support, lifestyle modification factors and multidisciplinary referral pathways, empowering osteopaths to play a role in the prevention and clinical management of sarcopenia. This session will be of interest to those osteopaths committed to proactive, whole-person care in musculoskeletal and functional healthy ageing.

Learning objectives:

1. Define sarcopenia and understand its classification as a chronic condition based on current clinical guidelines and diagnostic criteria
2. Recognise key risk factors, clinical signs, and functional consequences of sarcopenia in ageing and chronic disease populations
3. Interpret validated screening and assessment tools to identify patients at risk or affected by sarcopenia
4. Apply evidence-based interventions including resistance training, protein nutrition, and multidisciplinary care strategies to manage and prevent sarcopenia in clinical practice.

Webinar presenters:

Dr Peter McCann MRes MASc BASc DASc, FASLM, FAICE  

Peter has 30 years clinical experience in the field of musculoskeletal and LBP management. He is a casual academic at the School of Health, Medicine and Applied Sciences – Murdoch University.He is certified by the International Board of Lifestyle Medicine and a Fellow of the Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine and co-founder of the ASLM Musculoskeletal CoP.  GLAD:Back certified and DEXA scan operator licensedHe is a co-ordinator of two university Lifestyle Medicine units delivered to health bachelor degree programs and national clinical educator for Immuron, an Australian biotech company in the research and development of novel oral immunotherapies.

Peter is the developer of FlexEze heat wraps, a thermal medical device used in hospitals and clinics for LBP management. Peter has recently completed a Research Masters thesis at CQUniversity investigating the use of superficial heat in low back pain management by allied health practitioners in Australia. His research interest lies in non-pharmacological interventions for back pain management.

Dr Rebecca Prenc (Osteopath)

Rebecca graduated from Victoria University with a Bachelor of Clinical Science (Osteopathy) and a Master of Health Science (Osteopathy).  Rebecca has also completed a Bachelor of Health Science (Food Science and Nutrition) from Deakin University and a Graduate Certificate in Tertiary Education from Victoria University. Rebecca worked at multiple osteopathic clinics in Melbourne before opening up her own clinic within a multidisciplinary GP practice in 2018. Alongside her work in private practice, she works as an educator at Victoria University, primarily teaching in the first-year osteopathy program.  

Both in the clinic and at university, Rebecca enjoys creating a learning environment that is student-centred and engaging and has a keen interest in preparing individuals to be evidence-based lifelong learners.  She hopes to bring this passion and experience to the CPD Working Group. 

1 CPD hour

Disclaimer: Content correct at the time of publication