Biomarker 2 – Strength
Here’s the problem:
As we age, we lose whole motor units (a measurement of muscle). In cross-sectional studies, it’s been estimated that over the 40-year span between age 30 and 70, people experience a 20 percent decrease in the number of motor units in their thigh, for example. Similar decreases are sustained in both large and small muscle groups all over our body.
Gradual muscle loss is the catalyst for a number of other age-related changes in your body. These adverse changes are . . .
- a slowdown in your metabolism
- a steady increase in body fat
- a declining aerobic capacity
- a reduced blood-sugar tolerance
- a continuing loss in bone density
So how do we prevent or reduce the loss of muscle.
- We exercise what we have – use it or lose it
- we give the body the nutrition it deserves and requires – protein, fats and oils, carbohydrates, Vitamins and Minerals
- we either get these elements from our diets (good quality natural food) and supplement where necessary with concentrated food source supplements
- we take regular and frequent light exercise
- walking,
- breathing – deep cyclical breathing is hugely important and beneficial
- mobility – exercise the joints and muscles through their full range of movement
- control exercises – practice manual and physical tasks that require fine muscle control – knitting,
- make exercise a priority – 10 minutes walking twice a day is enough for most people to improve their health
Muscles will only strengthen if the exercise adds:
- Resistance e.g. adding more weight
- Number of repetitions with a particular weight
- Number of sets of the exercise
Again the saying Use it or lose it is just about where it is at.
