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The wear and tear theory of aging is an early theory that proposes that the body wears out (Cristofalo, 1988). This theory is difficult to test, as normal wear and tear has not been defined, and the breakdown of various body systems cannot be predicted (Hayflick, 1996). The wear and tear theory postulates that the daily grind of life, in particular abuse or overuse, literally wears the body out, leading to disease states. This theory proposes that vital parts of our cells and tissues wear out resulting in aging (Jin, 2010). Wear and tear is an accumulation of errors and damage due to natural use (MacWilliam, 2002). The degeneration of cartilage and eventual grinding of bone on bone is an example of the aging process on body joints, as wear and tear exceeds the body’s ability to repair. This theory was the first theory that attempted to explain aging as a result of damage accumulated over time and laid the foundation for other scientists to explore additional explanation as to why and how the body ages.

Table 1.1

Though none of these major biological theories encapsulate the aging process on its own, they are each an important piece of the aging puzzle. Table 1.1 provides a brief overview of the theories and what they contribute to the knowledge of aging.

The various theories identified are an attempt to explain why the body ages from the biological perspective and causes the physical changes that older persons experience.