Truths about Muscles and Aging
Reviving Muscle Strength with Protein
It is within our nature to take what has always been working, our muscles, to continue doing well later into our lives. But as aging is part of living, muscle strength decline is too. Here we discover common truths and uncover facts about muscle and age correlation.1
Your muscle health dictates your life
When it comes to having a good quality of life and independence, your muscles dictate both aspects. The health of your bones, keeping balance, general strength for daily activities, blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure are affected by how healthy your muscles are. Also, once the flow of working on your muscles becomes regular, you will have improved stamina. In the long term, it also keeps your mental health healthy by producing endorphins, which are stress relievers.1, 3
Every muscle matters
Though the heart muscle may seem the most important, every other muscle has to work well too. Once you start losing muscle strength in some areas, your body begins to rely heavily on other parts, thus causing unnecessary stress on them. For example, if you have hurt your back while picking up your grandchild, you will now heavily lean on things to one side and wrists. From then, your side waist muscles will hurt and cause joint pain as you have put pressure on them to keep it off of the painful back. And the chances of you bouncing back from such injuries is lessened if your muscles are not kept healthy.1, 2
The importance of Muscle’s Strength
While bulking for looks may look appealing to some, it may not be appropriate for some seniors due to other underlying health conditions. Building their strength is what really matters when it comes to a better quality of life. Strength training increases the functionality of the muscles, keeping them go on longer, ie. stamina. In about two to three sessions per week, high impact resistance training with progression is ideal for seniors. As for which one of the training is appropriate for you, follow the advice of a physiotherapist.2
Muscles grow during sleep
With all the work you put in strengthening your muscles during the day, if you do not have a good night’s sleep, you may not be reaping the benefits. During deep sleep, your muscles have a chance to relax and have more blood flow through them. It is then the hormones that help muscles grow are released, supporting their repair and growth. Good sleep is crucial for seniors to support their new muscle development.3
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