A Special Report called “Fight Age with Muscle” by John Brandt (on msn’s Health and Fitness website – see link) provides a powerful set of reasons to get in the gym and start sweating!
Diminished muscle strength and mass (called “sarcopenia”) are linked to declines in the immune system and the onset of heart disease and diabetes, not to mention weaker bones, stiffer joints, and slumping postures. Muscle mass has also been shown to play a central role in protein metabolism, which is particularly important in the response to stress, and decreased muscle mass correlates with a decline in overall metabolic rate (muscle mass burns more calories at rest than fat does). Muscle mass has also proved to play a key role in more common, but no less deadly, conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
The thinking about muscles and resistance training is reaching critical mass, and a major shift in the fitness paradigm is under way. Along with this increasing emphasis on resistance training, there is an increasing awareness about the nutritional factors that can complement muscle growth, namely increasing daily intake of protein. Check out the full Special Report on the link entitled Sarcopenia.
The thinking about muscles and resistance training is reaching critical mass, and a major shift in the fitness paradigm is under way. Along with this increasing emphasis on resistance training, there is an increasing awareness about the nutritional factors that can complement muscle growth, namely increasing daily intake of protein. Check out the full Special Report on the link entitled Sarcopenia.
