There is growing evidence for a link between loss of skeletal muscle, impaired muscle performance, and systemic markers of acute inflammation in hospitalized geriatric patients. The present literature suggests a negative effect of acute inflammation at the time of hospital admission upon muscle performance and the change of this during the hospital stay, particularly in patients with persistent rather than resolved inflammation. Further, a few studies have reported a positive effect of anti-inflammatory medication upon recovery of muscle function in geriatric patients, but how this is mediated (e.g. inhibition of inflammatory cytokines) is not clear. In conclusion, a negative association between the presence of acute and persistent systemic markers of inflammation and various aspects of muscle function and its recovery after bedrest is observed in geriatric patients.