One of the principal epidemiological tendencies characterizing our generation is population's ageing [1]. As of January 1, 2010, people of 50 years and above number 17,3 million (32 % of total number of men and 42 % of total number of women) in Ukraine. Presently, one in more than four Ukrainians is 50 years and older; the group characterized by a worsened health condition and increased morbidity rate [2]. The share of people of 60 years and older is predicted to double by 2050, amounting to 2

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... illions [3]. Age-related changes of the human body result in a gradual decrease of adaptation capacities, and frailty syndrome, i.e. increased physical vulnerability of human body exposed to various factors. Frailty develops due to a reduced physical activeness and mobility, and is characterized by a slowed walking and low stamina [4] . One of the key determinants of this syndrome is a sarcopenia, i.e. gradual age-related degenerative atrophic loss of weight, force and functional abilities of skeletal muscles, which belongs to five principal factors of grave morbidity and mortality of those over 65 [5] . Average annual muscle loss amounts to 1 % in people over 35-40 years, 1,4-2,5 % in those over 60 years, and may reach 50 % at the age of 80 years and older [6] . Sarcopenia prevalence evaluations vary to a significant extent reflecting difference of clinical and diagnostic approaches. Thus, sarcopenia frequency range of 1-29 % was registered in people of preserved working capacity and in 14-33 % of those requiring long-term care [7] . The term of 'sarcopenia' was suggested by I. Rozenberg in 1998, who wrote that no other ageing-related feature is more prominent or damaging than reduced body weight, affecting general mobility, moving capacity, energy consumption, nutrient absorption, self-sustaining ability and