1-2-3 Wellbeing Newsletter: Muscle loss is no joke
Declan Doyle - MRes
?? Recharging the health and wellbeing of people and organisations with science backed approaches 15 + years | Consultancy | Physical Health | Mental Health | Strategies | Keynotes | Subscribe for guidance below??
Thanks for dropping by again. Let's dive straight in.
1. THIS WEEKS TOPIC: MUSCLE LOSS
As a society, we are becoming weaker. You don't need to go too far into your friends and family circles to learn about who has had the latest hip or knee replacement. Loss of muscle is one of the key reasons behind this trend. We're seeing more of these surgeries among those we know because our muscles aren't getting the workout they used to. With our lifestyles leaning heavily on convenience, we're not giving our bodies the chance to stay strong. This muscle loss isn't just about looks; it affects our ability to handle physical tasks and impacts our overall health.
However, all is not lost, a recent study showcased the powers of recovery the body has. Folks aged 85 + added around 11% more muscle in just 12 weeks of strength (squats, push-ups etc.) training. Plus, they got loads stronger, with over a 40% increase in their max lifting weight, and they moved better too. That's massive for making life better as you get older.
Here's the deal: the sooner you start, the better. But no worries if you're a late bloomer.
2. QUESTIONS FOR YOU
What does your muscle retention strategy look like? Do you even have one? Could you develop one? even if it was building strength in one pattern like a push, pull, hinge or squat?
领英推荐
3. ACTION STEP
The study above tells you it's never too late. If you can sit down and stand up you can squat, if you can open and close a door you can push and pull. Of course, you can't reap the benefits without taking action.
I'll pop by your feed again next week (If you let me of course)
Declan
About the Author
Declan is a Learning and Development Officer working for Health at Work (Part of the Medicash Group). He prides himself on being able to combine the evidence base with the practical “know how” to solve real world problems for people and organisations. When he’s not working, you’ll likely find him reading the latest research study, competing in duathlons or cleaning up the mess his youngest daughter leaves daily!