Why it is Important to Strength Train (or increase Strength Training) as we Age.
April 18, 2023
This article has come about after reading an Instagram post on the Active Life Rx account. The post was simple, one sentence, a powerful sentence that we all need to take notice of. The post read:
“Your muscle mass says more about the way you’re aging than the lines around your eyes.” – Active Life Rx Instagram account.
The more I progress through life, the more I support this. It is now 100% unwaivered support. Muscle mass is an anti-age aid. Every one of us should be trying to increase our muscle mass and hold onto it for as long as we can. Cause when you lose it, you will lose your quality of life and invite in potential disease. There is no argument for this; studies demonstrate this time and time again.
While many people look towards Botox or cosmetic surgery to slow down the signs of aging, it shouldn’t be the knife you are going under; it should be a barbell.
Weight training not only can help slow down the aging process, but it can also help to prevent muscle loss and increase your health, wellness, and even your performance as you age.
My number one message for anyone is that the best exercise for everyone as we get older is strength training. And the older you get, the more important strength training is.
Recent studies highlight the importance of maintaining our muscle mass as we age. Low muscle mass is associated with many diseases; in one recent study, it was found that low muscle mass is higher than expected in people recently diagnosed with cancer and cardiovascular disease. Strength training may help prevent these chronic diseases.
Why is strength training so good and our best anti-aging path?
While an increase in muscle mass helps reverse the trend of age-related muscle mass loss and sickness, other benefits of strength training include:
- Increase in bone density which reduces the risk of fractures from falls and accidents.
- Increased joint flexibility and reduced the symptoms of arthritis
- Decreased risk of injury (handle falls better)
- Maintained or increased ratio of lean mass to body fat. Muscle helps burn more fat.
- Increased strength, better body mechanics, balance, and posture
- Better chronic disease management, such as better glucose control in type II diabetes.
- Increased energy levels
- Strength training helps with the post-workout releases of endorphins (the feel-good hormone).
- Better sleep
- Reduced cardiovascular risk factors
- Improved cognitive function
- Improved athletic performance by being able to recruit more muscle fibre.
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Why it is Important to Strength Train (or increase Strength Training) as we Age.
April 18, 2023
This article has come about after reading an Instagram post on the Active Life Rx account. The post was simple, one sentence, a powerful sentence that we all need to take notice of. The post read:
“Your muscle mass says more about the way you’re aging than the lines around your eyes.” – Active Life Rx Instagram account.
The more I progress through life, the more I support this. It is now 100% unwaivered support. Muscle mass is an anti-age aid. Every one of us should be trying to increase our muscle mass and hold onto it for as long as we can. Cause when you lose it, you will lose your quality of life and invite in potential disease. There is no argument for this; studies demonstrate this time and time again.
While many people look towards Botox or cosmetic surgery to slow down the signs of aging, it shouldn’t be the knife you are going under; it should be a barbell.
Weight training not only can help slow down the aging process, but it can also help to prevent muscle loss and increase your health, wellness, and even your performance as you age.
My number one message for anyone is that the best exercise for everyone as we get older is strength training. And the older you get, the more important strength training is.
Recent studies highlight the importance of maintaining our muscle mass as we age. Low muscle mass is associated with many diseases; in one recent study, it was found that low muscle mass is higher than expected in people recently diagnosed with cancer and cardiovascular disease. Strength training may help prevent these chronic diseases.
Why is strength training so good and our best anti-aging path?
While an increase in muscle mass helps reverse the trend of age-related muscle mass loss and sickness, other benefits of strength training include:
- Increase in bone density which reduces the risk of fractures from falls and accidents.
- Increased joint flexibility and reduced the symptoms of arthritis
- Decreased risk of injury (handle falls better)
- Maintained or increased ratio of lean mass to body fat. Muscle helps burn more fat.
- Increased strength, better body mechanics, balance, and posture
- Better chronic disease management, such as better glucose control in type II diabetes.
- Increased energy levels
- Strength training helps with the post-workout releases of endorphins (the feel-good hormone).
- Better sleep
- Reduced cardiovascular risk factors
- Improved cognitive function
- Improved athletic performance by being able to recruit more muscle fibre.
