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Why are my muscles sore after exercise? Hint: it’s nothing to do with lactic acid

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/robert-andrew-robergs-435390">Robert Andrew Robergs</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/queensland-university-of-technology-847">Queensland University of Technology</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/samuel-l-torrens-1476404">Samuel L. Torrens</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/queensland-university-of-technology-847">Queensland University of Technology</a> As many of us hit the gym or go for a run to recover from the silly season, you might notice a bit of extra muscle soreness. This is especially true if it has been a while between workouts. A common misunderstanding is that such soreness is due to lactic acid build-up in the muscles. Research, however, shows lactic acid has <a href="https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/physiol.00033.2017">nothing to do with it</a>. The truth is far more interesting, but also a bit more complex. <h2>It’s not lactic acid</h2> We’ve known for decades that lactic acid has <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27409551/">nothing to do with</a> muscle soreness after exercise. In fact, as one of us (Robert Andrew Robergs) has long <a href="https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/ajpregu.00114.2004">argued</a>, cells produce lactate, not lactic acid. This process actually <a href="https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/physiol.00033.2017">opposes</a> not causes the build-up of acid in the muscles and bloodstream. Unfortunately, historical inertia means people still use the term “lactic acid” in relation to exercise. Lactate <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.1101141">doesn’t cause major problems</a> for the muscles you use when you exercise. You’d probably be <a href="https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/ajpregu.00114.2004?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori%3Arid%3Acrossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub++0pubmed&">worse off</a> without it due to other benefits to your working muscles. Lactate isn’t the reason you’re sore a few days after upping your weights or exercising after a long break. So, if it’s not lactic acid and it’s not lactate, what is causing all that muscle soreness? <h2>Muscle pain during and after exercise</h2> When you exercise, a lot of chemical reactions occur in your muscle cells. All these chemical reactions accumulate products and by-products which cause water to enter into the cells. That causes the pressure inside and between muscle cells to increase. This pressure, combined with the movement of molecules from the muscle cells can stimulate nerve endings and cause <a href="https://www.sportsmed.theclinics.com/article/S0278-5919(11)00099-8/fulltext">discomfort</a> during exercise. The pain and discomfort you sometimes feel hours to days after an unfamiliar type or amount of exercise has a different list of causes. If you exercise beyond your usual level or routine, you can cause microscopic damage to your muscles and their connections to tendons. Such damage causes the release of ions and other molecules from the muscles, causing localised swelling and stimulation of nerve endings. This is sometimes known as “<a href="https://www.sportsmed.theclinics.com/article/S0278-5919(11)00099-8/fulltext">delayed onset muscle soreness</a>” or DOMS. While the damage occurs during the exercise, the resulting response to the injury builds over the next one to two days (longer if the damage is severe). This can sometimes cause pain and difficulty with normal movement. <h2>The upshot</h2> Research is clear; the discomfort from delayed onset muscle soreness has nothing to do with <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=UVjRNSUAAAAJ&view_op=view_citation&citation_for_view=UVjRNSUAAAAJ:J_g5lzvAfSwC">lactate</a> or <a href="https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/physiol.00033.2017">lactic acid</a>. The good news, though, is that your muscles adapt rapidly to the activity that would initially cause delayed onset muscle soreness. So, assuming you don’t wait too long (more than roughly two weeks) before being active again, the next time you do the same activity there will be much less damage and discomfort. If you have an exercise goal (such as doing a particular hike or completing a half-marathon), ensure it is realistic and that you can work up to it by training over several months. Such training will gradually build the muscle adaptations necessary to prevent delayed onset muscle soreness. And being less wrecked by exercise makes it more enjoyable and more easy to stick to a routine or habit. Finally, remove “lactic acid” from your exercise vocabulary. Its supposed role in muscle soreness is a myth that’s hung around far too long already.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/214638/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/robert-andrew-robergs-435390">Robert Andrew Robergs</a>, Associate Professor - Exercise Physiology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/queensland-university-of-technology-847">Queensland University of Technology</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/samuel-l-torrens-1476404">Samuel L. Torrens</a>, PhD Candidate, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/queensland-university-of-technology-847">Queensland University of Technology</a> Image credits: Getty Images This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-are-my-muscles-sore-after-exercise-hint-its-nothing-to-do-with-lactic-acid-214638">original article</a>.

Body

Steep physical decline with age is not inevitable – here’s how strength training can change the trajectory

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/zachary-gillen-1251178">Zachary Gillen</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/mississippi-state-university-1970">Mississippi State University</a> Raise your hand if you regularly find yourself walking up a flight of stairs. What about carrying heavy bags of groceries? How about picking up your child or grandchild? Most of us would raise our hands to doing at least one of those weekly, or even daily. As people age, it can become more and more difficult to perform some physical tasks, even those that are normal activities of daily living. However, prioritizing physical fitness and health as you get older can help you go through your normal day-to-day routine without feeling physically exhausted at the end of the day. It can also help you continue to have special memories with your family and loved ones that you might not have been able to have if you weren’t physically active. For example, I ran two half-marathons with my dad when he was in his 60s! I am an exercise physiologist who studies how people can <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=gn8ZiLMAAAAJ&hl=en">use resistance training to improve human performance</a>, whether it be in sports and other recreational settings, in everyday life, or both. I am also a certified strength and conditioning specialist. My career has given me the opportunity to design exercise programs for kids, college athletes and elderly adults. Staying physically active as you get older doesn’t need to include running a half-marathon or trying to be a bodybuilder; it could be as simple as trying to get through the day without feeling winded after you go up a flight of stairs. Although our muscles naturally get weaker as we age, there are ways we can combat that to help improve quality of life as we get older. <h2>Muscle loss and chronic disease</h2> One of the most important parts of exercise programming, no matter who I am working with, is proper resistance training to build muscle strength. Some amount of age-related loss of muscle function is normal and inevitable. But by incorporating resistance training that is appropriate and safe at any ability level, you can slow down the rate of decline and even prevent some loss of muscle function. The medical term for a condition that involves <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afy169">age-related loss of muscle function and mass is sarcopenia</a>. Sarcopenia can begin as early as age 40, but it tends to be <a href="https://doi.org/10.1097/01.mco.0000134362.76653.b2">more common in adults age 60 and older</a>. Sarcopenia is associated with a number of health issues such as <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glx245">increased risk of falling</a>, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.123.064071">cardiovascular disease</a> and <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13103519">metabolic disease</a>, among others. In one of our team’s previous studies, we saw that otherwise healthy individuals with sarcopenia had issues <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/jcsm.12932">delivering vital nutrients to muscle</a>. This could lead to greater likelihood of various diseases, such as Type 2 diabetes, and slow down recovery from exercise. Recent estimates suggest that sarcopenia affects <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.metabol.2023.155533">10% to 16% of the elderly population worldwide</a>. But even if a person doesn’t have clinically diagnosed sarcopenia, they may still have some of the underlying symptoms that, if not dealt with, could lead to sarcopenia. <h2>Strength training is key</h2> So the question is, what can be done to reverse this decline? Recent evidence suggests that one of the key factors leading to sarcopenia is <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glx245">low muscle strength</a>. In other words, combating or reversing sarcopenia, or both, may be best done with a proper resistance-training program that <a href="https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-021-02642-8">prioritizes improving strength</a>. In fact, the decline in muscle strength seems to <a href="https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.2009.28047">occur at a much faster rate</a> than the decline in muscle size, underscoring the importance of proper strength training as people age. <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/552839/original/file-20231009-26-epspie.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/552839/original/file-20231009-26-epspie.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/552839/original/file-20231009-26-epspie.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=638&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/552839/original/file-20231009-26-epspie.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=638&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/552839/original/file-20231009-26-epspie.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=638&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/552839/original/file-20231009-26-epspie.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=802&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/552839/original/file-20231009-26-epspie.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=802&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/552839/original/file-20231009-26-epspie.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=802&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="Chart showing the general pattern for changes in muscle strength and size across stage of life." /></a><figcaption>Typical age-related changes in muscle strength and size with and without strength training. Zachary Gillen</figcaption></figure> Continuing to regularly strength train with moderate to heavy weights has been shown to be not only effective at combating the symptoms of sarcopenia but also <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jamda.2018.09.011">very safe when done properly</a>. The best way to make sure you are strength training properly is to seek out guidance from a qualified individual such as a personal trainer or strength and conditioning specialist. Despite the clear benefits of strength training, it’s been shown that only about 13% of Americans age 50 and older do some form of <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17572957/">strength training at least twice a week</a>. <h2>Finding what works for you</h2> So how does a person properly strength train as they age? The National Strength and Conditioning Association, a leading organization in advancing strength and conditioning around the world, states that for older adults, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000003230">two to three days per week of strength training</a> can be incredibly helpful for maintaining healthy muscle and bone and combating a number of chronic conditions. The organization recommends that these workouts involve one to two exercises involving multiple joints per major muscle group, with six to 12 repetitions per set. These are done at an intensity of 50% to 85% of what’s known as one-repetition maximum – the most weight you could handle for a single repetition – with the exception of body weight exercises that use one’s own body weight as the resistance, such as pushups. I would also recommend resting for about two to three minutes between sets, or even up to five minutes if the set was challenging. For older adults, particularly those age 60 and older, the National Strength and Conditioning Association guidelines suggest that a program like this be performed two to three days per week, with 24 to 48 hours between sessions. <iframe id="sGvo5" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" style="border: none;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/sGvo5/3/" width="100%" height="400px" frameborder="0"></iframe> <h2>Making life’s tasks lighter</h2> The guidelines above are only one example out of many options, but they provide a framework that you can use to build your own program. However, I would highly recommend seeking out a professional in the field to give specific exercise programming advice that can be tailored to your own needs and goals as you age. Following such a program would give your muscles an excellent stimulus to enhance strength, while also allowing enough recovery, a very important consideration as people age. You might think it looks like a huge time commitment, but an exercise routine like this can be done in less than an hour. This means that in less than three hours of strength training per week you can help improve your muscle health and reduce the risk of getting sarcopenia and associated health issues. It’s also important to note that there is no one right way to do resistance training, and it needn’t involve traditional weight equipment. Group classes like Pilates and yoga or those that involve circuit training and work with resistance bands can all produce similar results. The key is to get out and exercise regularly, whatever that entails.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/213131/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/zachary-gillen-1251178">Zachary Gillen</a>, Assistant Professor of Exercise Physiology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/mississippi-state-university-1970">Mississippi State University</a> Image credits: Getty Images This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/steep-physical-decline-with-age-is-not-inevitable-heres-how-strength-training-can-change-the-trajectory-213131">original article</a>.

Caring

“I have not looked back”: Stamp out cramps as easy as you please

Muscle cramps can be excruciating and disruptive, causing sudden, involuntary contractions that leave you wincing in pain. These spasms can occur in various parts of the body, most commonly in the legs, and they often strike at the most inconvenient times. While the exact causes of muscle cramps can vary, one potential remedy that has gained popularity is Magnesium. However, what most people don’t realise is that taking Magnesium supplements by themselves will actually address only ONE of the major causes of cramps: mineral deficiency. Fortunately, there is a better way; one that covers a multitude of common triggers for cramps, and which will help you rest easy and move more for active days and restful nights. <h3>What causes muscle cramps?</h3> Muscle cramps can occur for a variety of reasons, and sometimes the exact cause remains elusive. Some of the most common triggers include: <ol> <li>Dehydration: Insufficient fluid intake can lead to an electrolyte imbalance, causing muscles to contract involuntarily.</li> <li>Overexertion: Strenuous physical activity, especially in hot weather, can lead to muscle fatigue and cramps.</li> <li>Mineral deficiencies: An imbalance of essential minerals like potassium, calcium and magnesium can contribute to cramping.</li> <li>Poor blood circulation: Reduced blood flow to muscles can result in cramps, especially during prolonged periods of immobility.</li> <li>Medications: Certain medications, such as diuretics and statins, can increase the risk of muscle cramps as a side effect.</li> </ol> <blockquote> Crampeze Testimonial: “Started getting really bad cramps in my feet and calf muscles in both legs. I have never experienced cramp this severe, ever. I Googled ‘severe cramping’ and this is when I came across Crampeze… I have not looked back since I started on them. So glad I found them.” – Julie Daniels, Product Review </blockquote> <h3>How Crampeze and Crampeze Forte can help</h3> <a href="https://crampeze.com.au" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Crampeze</a> is a supplement designed to address the root causes of muscle cramps, providing relief and promoting overall muscle health. Here's how it can help: <ol> <li>Magnesium: Crampeze contains magnesium, an essential mineral that plays a crucial role in muscle function and relaxation. Magnesium helps prevent cramps by regulating muscle contractions and maintaining proper electrolyte balance.</li> <li>Vitamin B Complex: This supplement includes a blend of B vitamins, such as B1 (thiamine), B3 (niacin), and B6 (pyridoxine), which are important for nerve and muscle health. .</li> <li>Herbal ingredients: Crampeze also contains natural ingredients like feverfew extract, Viburnum Opulus (Cramp Bark), can help alleviate muscle cramps and mild muscle spasms and twitches, as well as Ginkgo Biloba that acts as an antioxidant, reducing free radicals formed in the body, while supporting blood circulation to the legs, hands and feet.</li> </ol> <h3>How Crampeze Forte differs</h3> Crampeze Forte is an added benefit formulation of Crampeze, with nicotinamide, feverfew extract and vitamin B5 providing comprehensive support for cramp prevention and relief. Ideal for intermittent sufferers or sports related cramps. <blockquote> Crampeze Testimonial: “Just to say a huge thank you for your Crampeze Forte! Bedtime is no longer terror time. I am cramp free at last.” – Betty H, Product Review </blockquote> By offering a more holistic approach to managing and preventing muscle cramps, the 2-in-1 benefits of <a href="https://crampeze.com.au/product/crampeze" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Crampeze</a> and <a href="https://crampeze.com.au/product/crampeze-forte" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Crampeze Forte</a> help address the root causes of cramps through their unique formulations. Of course if you suffer from frequent muscle cramps, it's advisable to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement regimen to determine the best option for your specific needs – but with the right approach, you can find relief and enjoy a more comfortable, cramp-free life. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2023/10/CrampezePackaging_1280.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="520" /> All images: Supplied. This is a sponsored article produced in partnership with Crampeze.

Body

Am I too old to build muscle? What science says about sarcopenia and building strength later in life

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/david-scott-1258511">David Scott</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/deakin-university-757">Deakin University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/robin-m-daly-19560">Robin M. Daly</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/deakin-university-757">Deakin University</a> Sarcopenia is the progressive and accelerated loss of muscle mass and strength as we age. The term was coined in the 1980s, and the condition has been recognised as a disease for less <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.5694/mja2.50432">than a decade</a>, but the concept is as old as time: use it or lose it. But what if you’re in your 60s, 70s, 80s or 90s? Is it “too late” to build muscle and fight sarcopenia? Here’s what the research says. <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/525756/original/file-20230511-19-34yuj7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/525756/original/file-20230511-19-34yuj7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/525756/original/file-20230511-19-34yuj7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/525756/original/file-20230511-19-34yuj7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/525756/original/file-20230511-19-34yuj7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/525756/original/file-20230511-19-34yuj7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/525756/original/file-20230511-19-34yuj7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/525756/original/file-20230511-19-34yuj7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="" /></a><figcaption>Exercise training during weight loss can also prevent bone loss. Shutterstock</figcaption></figure> <h2>Sarcopenia isn’t just unfortunate. It’s dangerous</h2> All of us will start to gradually lose muscle from our mid-30s, but this loss accelerates in later years. For up to 30% of adults aged over 60, the declines are substantial enough to meet the <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jcsm.12783">definition for sarcopenia</a>. Sarcopenia increases your risk of falls, fractures, hospitalisation, loss of independence and many other chronic diseases. However, people who are active in early life and maintain this as they age can delay or prevent the <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jcsm.13218">onset of sarcopenia</a>. The good news is it’s never too late to make a start, even if you are already experiencing the debilitating effects of sarcopenia. <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/525520/original/file-20230511-29-5201jv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/525520/original/file-20230511-29-5201jv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/525520/original/file-20230511-29-5201jv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=392&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/525520/original/file-20230511-29-5201jv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=392&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/525520/original/file-20230511-29-5201jv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=392&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/525520/original/file-20230511-29-5201jv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=492&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/525520/original/file-20230511-29-5201jv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=492&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/525520/original/file-20230511-29-5201jv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=492&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="" /></a><figcaption>It’s never too late to make a start. Shutterstock</figcaption></figure> <h2>What the science says</h2> Resistance training is the most effective way to build and strengthen muscle at all ages. That means things like: <ul> <li> lifting free weights like dumbbells </li> <li> using machine weights, like you find in a gym </li> <li> using resistance bands </li> <li> bodyweight exercises such as push-ups, squats, wall-sits or tricep dips. </li> </ul> It’s OK to start with even very light weights, or do modified, easier versions of bodyweight exercises (for example, you might do a shallow squat rather than a deep one, or a push-up against a wall or windowsill instead of on the floor). Something is always better than nothing. Aim to make the exercise harder over time. Lift progressively heavier weights or do increasingly harder versions of bodyweight or resistance band exercises. This is called progressive resistance training. <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/525565/original/file-20230511-27-1sxqpo.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/525565/original/file-20230511-27-1sxqpo.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/525565/original/file-20230511-27-1sxqpo.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/525565/original/file-20230511-27-1sxqpo.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/525565/original/file-20230511-27-1sxqpo.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/525565/original/file-20230511-27-1sxqpo.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/525565/original/file-20230511-27-1sxqpo.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/525565/original/file-20230511-27-1sxqpo.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="" /></a><figcaption>Aim to make the exercise harder over time. Shutterstock</figcaption></figure> <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40279-020-01331-7?fbclid=IwAR06PPIz8cf2xZExNvrnlueQp0-7SWQwT1x0bUdnZrgTOqcyiAdTrpufTjU">Clinical trials</a> have consistently shown all adults – even very frail people over the age of 75 – can make significant gains in muscle mass and strength by doing progressive resistance training at least twice a week. The improvements can be seen in as little as eight weeks. <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2342214/">One seminal study</a> included ten frail, institutionalised 86–96 year olds who did a high-intensity progressive resistance training program. After just eight weeks, the average mid-thigh muscle area had increased by almost 10% (which is equivalent to the amount of muscle typically lost over a decade) and leg strength increased by about 180%. In other words, these older people were almost three times stronger at the end of the short training program than before. It really can be done. British-Swiss man <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGgoCm1hofM">Charles Eugster</a> (1919–2017), for example, took up progressive resistance training in his late 80s after noticing a decline in his muscle mass. He went on to become a <a href="https://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/lessons-from-a-95-year-old-bodybuilder.html">bodybuilder</a>, and in 2012 gave a TEDx <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGgoCm1hofM">talk</a> titled “Why bodybuilding at age 93 is a great idea”. <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/525755/original/file-20230511-23-xwcq71.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C0%2C6689%2C4466&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/525755/original/file-20230511-23-xwcq71.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C0%2C6689%2C4466&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/525755/original/file-20230511-23-xwcq71.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/525755/original/file-20230511-23-xwcq71.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/525755/original/file-20230511-23-xwcq71.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/525755/original/file-20230511-23-xwcq71.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/525755/original/file-20230511-23-xwcq71.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/525755/original/file-20230511-23-xwcq71.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="" /></a><figcaption>Resistance training is the most effective way to build and strengthen muscle at all ages. Shutterstock</figcaption></figure> <h2>What if my doctor has told me to lose weight?</h2> Many older adults have obesity, which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. They’re often told to lose weight, but any dieting (or other strategy aimed at weight loss) also usually causes muscle loss. Losing muscle mass in older age could increase the risk for many common chronic conditions. For example, muscle is crucial to keeping blood sugar levels under control, so excessive muscle loss could blunt the benefits of weight loss for people with type 2 diabetes. If you’re losing weight, it’s important to try to minimise muscle mass loss at the same time. How? Progressive resistance training. By combining progressive resistance training with weight loss, one study found the resulting muscle loss is <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29596307/">negligible</a>. (It’s also important that if you are dieting, you are still eating <a href="https://www.clinicalnutritionjournal.com/article/S0261-5614(14)00111-3/fulltext">enough protein</a>, so your body has the ingredients it needs to build new muscle). Exercise training during weight loss can also prevent <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095254621000491">bone loss</a>, which reduces fracture risk in older people. <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/520175/original/file-20230411-26-v63lvh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C19%2C4368%2C2877&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/520175/original/file-20230411-26-v63lvh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C19%2C4368%2C2877&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/520175/original/file-20230411-26-v63lvh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/520175/original/file-20230411-26-v63lvh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/520175/original/file-20230411-26-v63lvh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/520175/original/file-20230411-26-v63lvh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/520175/original/file-20230411-26-v63lvh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/520175/original/file-20230411-26-v63lvh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="" /></a><figcaption>An accredited exercise professional can help design a program that suits you. Shutterstock</figcaption></figure> <h2>Aim for at least twice a week – more if you can</h2> Whether or not you’re trying to lose weight, and regardless of whether you think you have sarcopenia, all older adults can benefit from strengthening their muscles. Even if getting to a gym or clinic is hard, there are plenty of resistance exercises you can do at home or outdoors that will help build strength. <figure class="align-right zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/525783/original/file-20230512-35478-3o1th8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/525783/original/file-20230512-35478-3o1th8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/525783/original/file-20230512-35478-3o1th8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=900&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/525783/original/file-20230512-35478-3o1th8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=900&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/525783/original/file-20230512-35478-3o1th8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=900&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/525783/original/file-20230512-35478-3o1th8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=1130&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/525783/original/file-20230512-35478-3o1th8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=1130&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/525783/original/file-20230512-35478-3o1th8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=1130&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="" width="498" height="747" /></a><figcaption></figcaption></figure> Talk to a health professional before starting a moderate to high intensity progressive resistance training program. An accredited exercise professional can help design a program that suits you. Generally, we should aim to do progressive resistance training at least <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12603-021-1665-8">twice a week</a>. Try to target 8–10 muscle groups, and start out at about 30–40% of your maximum effort before progressing over time to 70–80% of your maximum. As the name suggests, it is key to progressively increase the effort or challenge of your program so you can feel the improvements and achieve your goals. It’s never too late to start training for your fight against sarcopenia and loss of independence in older age. The health benefits will be worth it. As Socrates <a href="https://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/plato/theaetet.htm">said</a> in the 4th Century BC: <blockquote> is not the bodily habit spoiled by rest and idleness, but preserved for a long time by motion and exercise?<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/203562/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> </blockquote> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/david-scott-1258511">David Scott</a>, Associate Professor (Research) and NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/deakin-university-757">Deakin University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/robin-m-daly-19560">Robin M. Daly</a>, Professor of Exercise and Ageing, Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Deakin University, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/deakin-university-757">Deakin University</a> This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/am-i-too-old-to-build-muscle-what-science-says-about-sarcopenia-and-building-strength-later-in-life-203562">original article</a>.

Body

Improving your balance: Tandem walking for stronger muscles

As we age, our muscles tend to become weaker, which is why it’s important to stay in shape with easy and effective exercises. In this video, Taylor Harrison – author, senior’s health expert and Director of <a href="http://www.activeseniors.net.au/">Active Seniors Health Centre</a> – shows you how to do the tandem walk to improve your balance and coordination while regaining strength in your muscles. <iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/295089820" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> To see more videos and articles on improving your health and fitness from Taylor Harrison, <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/search.aspx?Keyword=taylor+harrison">click here</a>. Image credit: Shutterstock

Body

Glute force: why big, strong bum muscles matter for your overall health

The glutes are the large, powerful muscles in your bum that help support the pelvis, stabilise the hip joint and allow the hip to move. Countless social media posts extol the virtues of building strong glutes through exercises such as squats. However, most of what you hear from such “gymfluencers” is about how the bum muscles look. Forget about how they look; what about what they do? Why is having big, strong glutes important for your body to function well? In fact, having strong bum muscles is crucial to good musculoskeletal health. <h2>Bum muscles hold your body up and protect the hip joint</h2> The gluteal muscles are a group of three separate muscles, each with unique anatomical structure and function. The deepest and smallest muscle is called the gluteus minimus, which is very close to the hip joint itself. Overlaying gluteus minimus is the gluteus medius. This one is relatively large and spans the whole outer surface of the pelvis. The gluteus maximus is the largest of the three gluteal muscles and <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19449297/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">overlays</a> both gluteus medius and minimus. This muscle is what gives the the bum its distinctive bum-like shape, but it plays a very important role in the way your body functions. In combination, the gluteus maximus, medius and minimus gives rise to many hip movements, and provide shock absorption when you’re walking or running. These muscles work together with your brain to generate a lot of power to hold your body up as gravity tries to pull it down. They also protect the hip joint from impact and from shearing forces that might cause long term damage. Some of <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ca.23510">our</a> <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1063458418315127?via%3Dihub">work</a> has identified some people with hip pain also have impairments in the gluteal muscles. These impairments could reduce the bum muscles’ ability to protect the joint against long term damage and potentially affect a person’s ability to bear weight (for example, when standing on one leg or climbing stairs). A reduction in muscle size and an increase in non-active tissue such as fat has been <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31689358/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a> in hip conditions such as greater trochanteric pain syndrome (a common type of hip pain, also known as gluteal tendinopathy). The same is also true for <a href="https://www.oarsijournal.com/article/S1063-4584(16)30064-4/fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hip osteoarthritis</a>, which affects the whole joint. The rates of osteoarthritis in Australia are <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/imj.15933" target="_blank" rel="noopener">increasing</a>, with <a href="https://aoj.amegroups.com/article/view/3664/4322" target="_blank" rel="noopener">one in every seven</a> hip joint replacements conducted in people under the age of 55. However, it’s worth noting just because you have signs of arthritis on hip x-ray or MRI, it doesn’t mean you will have pain or <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1063458420312310?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noopener">develop</a> <a href="https://bmjopensem.bmj.com/content/7/4/e001199" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pain</a>. Research <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29439949/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">suggests</a> the way a person moves may contribute to the risk of hip osteoarthritis in young people. If you do have hip pain, bum muscle strengthening is <a href="https://www.racgp.org.au/download/Documents/Guidelines/Musculoskeletal/guideline-for-the-management-of-knee-and-hip-oa-2nd-edition.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">recommended</a> as the first line treatment. But strong glutes have also been shown to improve your day-to-day function, especially in those with hip osteoarthritis. In particular, people with hip osteoarthritis who have stronger glutes walk faster and longer <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jor.1100150421" target="_blank" rel="noopener">distances</a> and climb stairs <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/acr.22329" target="_blank" rel="noopener">faster</a> than those with weaker glutes. <h2>Should I do my bum exercises?</h2> Ultimately, better bum muscle function is likely to be helpful and is often recommended by doctors, physiotherapists and other health-care practitioners. They may prescribe certain exercises to strengthen your glutes and target problems around the hip area. Having weak glutes is associated with: <ul> <li> <a href="https://bmcmusculoskeletdisord.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12891-019-2833-4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">low back pain</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18838402/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">patellofemoral</a> pain (pain under the knee cap) and </li> <li> greater <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1050641117300111?via%3Dihu" target="_blank" rel="noopener">trochanteric pain syndrome</a> (the common type of hip pain we mentioned earlier, also known as gluteal tendinopathy). </li> </ul> Glute strength may even have a role to play in keeping your <a href="https://journals.lww.com/jwhpt/Abstract/2021/07000/Hip_and_Pelvic_Floor_Muscle_Strength_in_Women_With.5.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pelvic floor</a> in good shape (although further research is required). That’s not to say doing your bum exercises will automatically cure all these ailments; each case is unique and involves a range of factors. But having strong glutes is, in general, very important for hip and pelvis stability and function. No matter if you are a gymfluencer, a professional sports person, or just a regular bum-owner, having strong glutes will keep you in good stride. This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/glute-force-why-big-strong-bum-muscles-matter-for-your-overall-health-190978" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. Image: Shutterstock

Body

“I want my younger body back”: Finding a way to fight age’s decay

I’m turning 50 next year. Like any major milestone in life, that presents an opportunity to reflect on what’s behind and what’s ahead. On the long list of creeping “changes” I’d begun to notice about myself – both mental and physical – one that leapt out every time I looked in the mirror was a strange sense of … shrinking. It’s possible this was an issue I was hyper aware of, having seen it in my father. You watch the shoulders vanish, the hair disappear, the neck thin out. You think nothing of it – nothing overly negative, anyway; it’s just the graceful march of time after all – but all the same, it registers on some level. Dad passed away from a type of motor neurone disease called progressive supranuclear palsy at the age of 72, the effects of which could be seen for quite a few years before the end. He was always a very active, sporty and outdoors guy. Loved golf. Dominated on a tennis court. Was weirdly skilled with a frisbee, and quietly the most proud of that for some reason. All of those take dexterity, finesse and physicality, the very things that vanish first when you are in the grip of progressive supranuclear palsy. He swung his last club and racquet, and made his last tricky behind-the-back frisbee throw, many years before he would have wanted. So that’s the backdrop – and clearly the motivation – to all of this. In my mind now I’ve got potentially the same fate in store. Intellectually I know that’s not how it works, but you can’t tell your emotional self that. Whether or not PSP or MND is in my future is not something I can control, and that creates fear. So, obviously, taking control over what you CAN control is the only sensible course. Which brings us back to the mirror. I’d been noticing this shrinking for some time – an overall diminishing of muscle mass in the shoulders, arms and legs – so I decided to look it up. Turns out, at least according to <a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/preserve-your-muscle-mass" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Harvard Medical School</a>, that “age-related muscle loss, called sarcopenia, is a natural part of ageing. After age 30, you begin to lose as much as 3% to 5% per decade. Most men will lose about 30% of their muscle mass during their lifetimes.” Thirty percent! That’s pretty grim news. But all is not lost, as it also turns out that’s mostly reversible – through a little basic resistance and weight training and upping your protein intake. Since I was a little frightened of heading into a crowded gym during these pandemic times, I also decided I wanted something I could do from the safety and convenience of home – and that’s when fate intervened in the form of the <a href="https://www.onepeloton.com.au/guide" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Peloton Guide</a>. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/08/Peloton_1280_setup.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> I’d only ever heard of the <a href="https://www.onepeloton.com.au/bikes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Peloton exercise bikes</a> before, but this clever new gadget essentially turns your TV into a home gym, which I found to be very impressive and a great idea. You take the Peloton Guide camera, clip it either to the top of your screen or place it at the base, and then after walking you through a series of very simple set-up steps, you can suddenly see YOURSELF in one half of the TV, while your virtual or pre-recorded class instructor appears on the other half and takes you through a workout, step by step. It’s basically like having an expert, one-on-one personal trainer right there in your home whenever you want, for any kind of workout you can possibly conceive of. <a href="https://www.onepeloton.com.au/digital/checkout/digital-30d" target="_blank" rel="noopener">There’s an app</a> that contains a list of all the available workouts and exercises, all of which are designed to suit different ages and fitness levels so you can increase muscle mass while building stronger bones to reduce injury risk. There are warm-up classes, ones using dumbbell weights, others using just your own bodyweight, upper body, lower body, full-body, prenatal classes (I skipped those), resistance band classes, pilates classes, yoga sessions and load, loads more. Aside from being incredibly easy to use and a lot of fun, I found the classes to be highly motivating – and that’s the key right there. For some reason having that virtual instructor right there in front of you, showing you exactly how to perform each exercise, giving you encouragement and urging you on, really helps you try your hardest and even look forward to the next class. There are all kinds of other benefits, including free delivery, a <a href="https://www.onepeloton.com.au/home-trial" target="_blank" rel="noopener">100-day home trial</a> with a refund if you don’t absolutely love it, but for basically having a personal trainer on permanent stand-by in your home 24/7, I think the <a href="https://www.onepeloton.com.au/shop/guide" target="_blank" rel="noopener">rates are really reasonable</a>. Especially when the pay-offs are so great. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/08/Peloton_12803.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> After just a few days of classes I was feeling the pain, but it was that good kind of pain you get from slowly reintroducing muscle groups to the concept of doing more than just sitting there gradually fading away. Then after a few weeks of classes that initial pain was replaced by a noticeable return of muscle mass and definition around the shoulders, in my legs, my arms, my calves and everywhere else that the tireless virtual trainers had directed me to concentrate my efforts. All in all I’m really happy with the results so far – enough to stick with it for the long term, that’s for sure. I haven’t suddenly become Arnold Schwarzenegger, but that was never the goal. I just wanted to feel stronger and more able to move around with the freedom I had felt a handful of years ago. I know I’m not alone in feeling like this. We recently asked our Over60 readers the exact question I had been thinking: “If you could get your younger body back, would you do it – and why?” and the responses were telling, to say the least. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/08/Peloton_1280_facebook2.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> “I don't need the body that was beautiful,” said Over60 reader Merilyn O'Neill. ”But I would choose to have the strength that I had.” Greg Browning chimed in with this: “Yes. I am sick and tired of my body telling me that I can’t do the things I used to do.” <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/08/Peloton_1280_facebook1.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> Paulette Bakker said that “more muscle tone would help”; Lynne Fairbrother said, “Doesn't have to be younger, just stronger and then I could play tennis again”; Karen Moon said, “In a heartbeat… so l could play netball and tennis again… and this time l would appreciate it more!” And last but not least, Over60 reader Kel Marlow said what we’re all probably thinking: “Absolutely… because I’d probably live 10 years longer!” Well said, Kel. The good thing is it’s never too late to start.

Body

6 major muscle groups you need to train to keep fit

There is no question that strength is beauty. Not only will resistance training make you look toned, strong and beautiful, it is the key in the fight against aging. This is because adults lose muscle every decade of their life, which underlies all the perils of aging, osteoporosis, type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, unwanted weight gain and an increased susceptibility to illness and fall related injuries. Weight training can slow or even reverse this process. A muscle group is exactly what it sounds like: a group of muscles situated close together on your body that perform similar movements. You want to train all six major muscle groups for optimum health and strength and to keep your body symmetrical. Focusing on the 6 major muscle groups listed below will get you on track to your best body. You can complete this full body workout using half a dozen weight machines at the gym and this will provide you with efficient and effective results. 12 -15 repetitions x 3 sets for each machine. <ol> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Chest – Your chest is involved in every type of push movement that you do, like pushing a door open. Working your chest will strengthen your pectoral muscles, give your breasts a more lifted appearance and is also extremely important for your posture. The chest press machine is essential and probably the most commonly used machine for upper body strengthening. It also engages the arms and shoulders. </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Back – Strong backs not only look good and are important for posture but are also needed for all pulling, lifting and carrying actions. Working both lower and upper back muscles will stabilise and protect the spine. A strong back therefore is required to perform daily tasks and is protective against injury. The lat pull down is the machine to use here. After the chest press it is one of the most recognised in the gym. It targets many muscles of the back, but most importantly the latissimus dorsi which is the largest back muscle. Like the chest machine it also incorporates the arms and shoulders. The second machine for your back is the seated cable row machine. It works all the muscles across your middle back and in addition uses the triceps and biceps as stabilisers. </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Arms – Strong toned arms look amazing. Beyond aesthetics however, regular arm exercises are closely linked to longevity as they strengthen your heart, improve circulation and can generally reduce the risk of heart disease. The assisted pull up (or chin up) machine is a fabulous way to work your arms and you can target different areas with different grips. A neutral (palms facing each other) and narrow grip is a highly effective way to work biceps and triceps especially for women who are still building upper body strength. </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Shoulders – The shoulders – or deltoids -are among the most important we use in daily life. Whether we are pushing, pulling or lifting things over our head, they always come in to play. Great shoulders also make us look strong and confident. The shoulder press machine improves shoulder size, strength, stability and mobility. It also extends these benefits to the tricep muscles in the arms. </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Legs – Leg exercises are excellent because not only do they make our legs look toned and beautiful they improve your overall body fitness and flexibility. Leg workouts engage the major muscle groups of the body which support healthy movement patterns daily life. The leg press machine is so popular, you practically need a reservation to get a few sets in. It is a powerful compound lower body exercise that works your quads glutes and hamstrings. </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Calves – Keeping the calves strong is extremely important because your calves propel you forward and absorb load with every step. You can use the Leg press machine to strengthen your calves by placing your toes and the balls of your feet on the lower part of the platform. </li> </ol> Becoming strong and toned isn’t nearly as complicated and difficult as you might think. One of the biggest myths about building muscle and strength is that you have to spend long hard hours in the gym. This is just not the case, you simply need to put your 6 major muscle groups under pressure with some heavy weights once to twice a week. This type of training will increase your muscle mass, literally transform your body and set you on the path to a healthier, stronger, more youthful life. Lyndal Linkin, author of To Age or Not to Age, is a 56-year-old anti-aging expert who’s spent her lifetime learning about anti-aging solutions. A successful entrepreneur, corporate leader and mother, she uses her years of research and personal experience to explain the most effective methods so you can look and feel younger. Find out more at <a href="http://www.lyndallinkin.com.au" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.lyndallinkin.com.au</a> or Instagram: @lyndallinkin Image: Shutterstock

Body

Do joint and muscle aches get worse in the cold?

The winter chill is often associated with an increase in aches and pains for many older people, particularly in the joints, but also in the muscles. Some <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Strusberg+I+Mendelberg">recent studies</a> have shown an increase in general aches and pain in older men and women, and in particular a correlation between joint pain and weather conditions in patients with <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27633622">rheumatoid arthritis</a> or <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26329341">osteoarthritis</a>. For those without these conditions, any experience of pain with cold or wet weather may be related to changes in physical activity and diet. How does the cold affect our muscles and joints? In investigating a link between weather and joint pain, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11838853">studies have examined</a> temperature, barometric pressure, precipitation, humidity and sunshine for their links to pain. The results are somewhat inconclusive because they vary greatly. This is largely because pain is subjective and it’s difficult to isolate a particular cause. Other factors like exercise, mood and diet also have an influence on pain perception. <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19714599">Some research focused on the idea</a> that atmospheric pressure may have the greatest effect. This is because there are gasses and fluids within joints, and if atmospheric pressure reduces, these gasses and fluids might expand, putting pressure on surrounding nerves causing pain. But this has not been shown clearly. A <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Savage+rheumatoid+arthritis+pain+2015">recent study found</a> the combination of temperature, sunlight exposure and humidity correlates with joint pain in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. But the authors were quick to point out the variability in pain perception and other factors, like exercise and diet, means a clear link still can’t be drawn with confidence. How we can prevent aches in winter There are some things that can help reduce pain during the colder months. Exercise: joint pain is <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28355375">often associated with excess weight</a>, so a weight-loss exercise program will help to take the pressure off the joints. Exercise also helps to improve metabolism and blood flow through muscles and joints, which can reduce inflammation, stiffness and pain. Many people tend to be more active in the warmer months when the weather is pleasant and it’s comfortable to be outside. It’s important to continue exercise into winter as a reduction in physical activity in winter for more than two weeks <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Colliander+detraining">results in loss of muscle strength</a> and mass as well as reduced bone density. Being inactive for long periods can lead to a gain in fat mass and overall body weight which puts <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28142365">excess pressure on joints that can lead to injury</a>. Movements that include large muscles of the legs, arms and torso such as squats, sit-ups and push-ups can be done in a fairly small space, and so are ideal inside during winter. Resistance exercise of this type is important for muscle and bone strength. Like muscles, bones adapt to the stimulus of repeated load bearing making them stronger and less prone to injury. This is <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Beavers+Martin+CHnge+bone+mineral+density+2017">particularly important</a> for older individuals. This doesn’t mean you need to go to a gym and lift heavy weights, although you may consider joining a gym for individual or group exercise sessions. You can get enough stimulation for maintenance of muscle and bone strength through daily tasks and home workouts. Vitamin D: exercising regularly can help to reduce symptoms in the long term, and getting outdoors for longer periods more often provides <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27258303">vitamin D for healthier bones and joints</a>. When daylight hours are limited, vitamin D supplements are a good way to continue to get the benefits of this vitamin, which has an important role in bone mineralisation, muscle function and nerve growth. Studies have found daily supplementation with vitamin D <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22592290">reduces the risk of bone fracture</a> and improves muscle strength for older people. It’s recommended adults get at least 200 to 600 international units (IU) of Vitamin D daily if they’re getting some exposure to sunlight most days. It’s not easy to get vitamin D through diet, but in a country like Australia, where sunlight is available even in winter, this presents less of a problem than for people living in regions that have limited sunlight in winter. The best foods for vitamin D include fatty fish like sardines, mackerel and herring, milk, margarine and vitamin D-fortified soy drinks. But it’s important to remember dietary sources alone are not sufficient to provide enough vitamin D. Sunlight is an important source and supplementation should be considered for those who have limited exposure to the sun in winter. Glucosamine and chondroitin: glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate help to provide nourishment to cartilage to improve joint function. They make movement of the joint smoother by <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26881338">reducing the friction produced</a> between the articulating surfaces of the bones. Crustaceans provide a good source of glucosamine, while chondroitin sulphate can be obtained from cartilage of animal bones. Supplementation of these is <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26881338">prescribed for patients</a> with osteoarthritis to help restore cartilage. Heat therapy: heat therapy can help greatly when you do have pain. Warm baths or showers, particularly in the morning <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27403866">can make a big difference</a> to the level of pain and stiffness. Warming the body increases elasticity of the tissue and improves blood flow making movement easier. It also activates neural pathways that <a href="http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00325481.2015.992719">reduce the brain’s perception of pain</a>.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/81260/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/andrew-lavender-219133">Andrew Lavender</a>, Lecturer, School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/curtin-university-873">Curtin University</a> This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/health-check-do-joint-and-muscle-aches-get-worse-in-the-cold-81260">original article</a>.

Body

How to activate your pelvic floor muscles

A lot of people over the age of 60 suffer from pelvic floor issues. In this video, Taylor Harrison – author, senior’s health expert and Director of <a href="http://www.activeseniors.net.au/">Active Seniors Health Centre</a> – shows you how to active your pelvic floor muscles. <iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/301767440" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen="" mozallowfullscreen="" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <a href="https://vimeo.com/301767440">How to activate your pelvic floor muscles</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/oversixty">OverSixty.com.au</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>. To see more videos and articles on improving your health and fitness from Taylor Harrison, <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/search.aspx?Keyword=taylor+harrison">click here</a>. Will you be trying out this exercise? Let us know in the comments below.

Caring

The exercise that will strengthen abdominal muscles

If you’re dealing with a little bit more extra fat around the stomach region then reverse sit-ups are the perfect exercise to strengthen your abdominal muscles. Whether it’s due to hormones, water retention or genetics, there are many reasons as to why your stomach maybe in need of some firming exercises. Reverse sit-ups target the lower abdominal muscles more than any other form of exercise. In this video, Taylor Harrison – author, senior’s health expert and Director of <a href="http://www.activeseniors.net.au/">Active Seniors Health Centre</a> – shows you how to tighten your abdominal muscles and strengthen your core. <iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/300185388" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen="" mozallowfullscreen="" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> To see more videos and articles on improving your health and fitness from Taylor Harrison, <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/search.aspx?Keyword=taylor+harrison">click here</a>. Will you be trying out this exercise? Let us know in the comments below.

Body

How to strengthen your stomach muscles safely

It’s important to strengthen stomach muscles but often exercises like sit-ups can leave people putting an unhealthy strain on their neck or spine. In this video, Taylor Harrison – author, senior’s health expert and Director of <a href="http://www.activeseniors.net.au/">Active Seniors Health Centre</a> – shows you how you can strengthen your stomach muscles in a safe and effective way. <iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/298935142" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen="" mozallowfullscreen="" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <a href="https://vimeo.com/298935142">Untitled</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/oversixty">OverSixty.com.au</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>. To see more videos and articles on improving your health and fitness from Taylor Harrison, <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/search.aspx?Keyword=taylor+harrison">click here</a>. Will you be trying out this exercise? Let us know in the comments below.

Caring

The exercise that will loosen tight muscles

Sitting down for a big chunk of your day can lead to problems such as lower back pain, hip pain and knee and ankle pain. The reason is because the glutes have worn out and are failing to move when we exercise or go about our day-to-day tasks. Glute activation is a popular form of exercise, especially for those who tend to be hunched over a desk for long periods at a time, or whose health or lifestyle causes them to be sitting down for most of the day. It’s the perfect way to loosen up tight muscles and is a stepping stone for more high intensity and weight bearing moves like squats and lunges. In this video, Taylor Harrison – author, senior’s health expert and Director of <a href="http://www.activeseniors.net.au/">Active Seniors Health Centre</a> – shows you how to activate your glutes, resulting in relaxed muscles and a pain-free body. <iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/297639711" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen="" mozallowfullscreen="" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> To see more videos and articles on improving your health and fitness from Taylor Harrison, <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/search.aspx?Keyword=taylor+harrison">click here</a>. Will you be trying out this exercise? Let us know in the comments below.

Body

Easy stretches to target your shoulder muscles

Our shoulders are one of the most important muscles in our body as they are responsible for a wide range of everyday actions, such as lifting, pushing and pulling, so keeping them healthy is important. <iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/292252030" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen="" mozallowfullscreen="" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> In this video, Taylor Harrison, author, senior’s health expert and Director of <a href="http://www.activeseniors.net.au/">Active Seniors Health Centre</a>, shares simple stretches to relax your shoulder muscles. To see more videos and articles on improving your health and fitness from Taylor Harrison, <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/search.aspx?Keyword=taylor+harrison">click here</a>.

Body

Improving your mobility: Easy stretches to target your hip muscles

Our hips are one of the most important muscles in our body, as they support our posture when we’re standing and moving around, which is why it’s essential that they’re healthy. <iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/289811806" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen="" mozallowfullscreen="" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> In this video, Taylor Harrison, author, senior’s health expert and Director of <a href="http://www.activeseniors.net.au/">Active Seniors Health Centre</a>, shares four simple stretches to improve your hip muscles. To see more videos and articles on improving your health and fitness from Taylor, <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/search.aspx?Keyword=taylor+harrison">click here</a>.

Body

Why your muscles stiffen as you age

Andrew Lavender is a lecturer at the School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science at Curtin University. Many older people find they’re not able to move as freely as they did when they were younger. They describe their movements as feeling stiff or restricted. In particular, feeling stiff when getting out of bed first thing in the morning or after sitting for a long period. The feeling does eventually ease with movement as the muscles “warm up”, but it can be troublesome. There are a few reasons this happens. As we age, bones, joints and muscles tend to become weak. Movements feeling stiff is often our perception of the increased effort required to perform daily tasks. Many older people have <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3424705/">ageing-associated conditions</a> that can contribute to muscle stiffness. These include osteoarthritis (breaking down of the cartilage in joints), osteomalacia (a softening of the bones due to a lack of vitamin D), osteoporosis (where bone mass is reduced causing bones to become brittle), rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation of the joints, and muscle weakness due to sarcopenia (the natural loss of muscle mass and strength). Blood flow may also play a part. As we age, our arteries <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3738364/">become stiffer and less flexible</a>, meaning blood can easily pool, particularly in the feet. When we get up after sitting or lying down for a long period of time, the stiffness may be due to a lack of the lubricating fluid in the joints. Once we move around for a while and warm up, more of the lubricating fluid, called synovial fluid, is moved into the joint, so the joint surfaces have less resistance to movement and can move more freely. Normal healthy ageing results in a <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/1529-0131(200111)44:11%3C2556::AID-ART436%3E3.0.CO;2-U">loss of joint cartilage</a>, particularly of the knee. This cartilage provides a smooth articulating surface between bones at the joint that wears down, becoming thinner and providing less cushioning between the articulating surfaces. This may account for stiffness felt during movement. Another contributing factor is the change in ligaments, tendons and muscles that are relatively relaxed and flexible when we are young. These lose that flexibility with ageing and disuse. In fact, many of the age-related changes in muscles, bones and joints are <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4041600/">the result of disuse</a>. Move it or lose it As we get older, we tend to become less physically active. While that’s understandable and reasonable, reducing the amount we exercise too much or stopping exercise altogether can exacerbate these age-related changes. Muscles need to be stimulated by physical activity in order to maintain strength and mass. Bones also need stimulation through loading to keep their density. Joints too need stimulation from movement to keep that feeling of stiffness to a minimum. And aside from our muscles and joints, the heart, lungs and circulatory system also need to be stimulated by exercise to maintain their ability to function optimally. While there are many factors that contribute to this common feeling of restricted movement or stiffness, the most important action we can take is to move more. This can be achieved through a number of measures. Becoming involved with a formal exercise or sports club is a great way to ensure you continue to exercise regularly. Teaming up with a friend to meet for exercise which could include aerobic activities such as running, swimming or walking is another good way to make sure you get some exercise. Resistance training is also important for muscles and bones. Moving the limbs through the entire range of motion of the joints is important for maintaining the ability to move freely and keep the muscles, tendons and ligaments healthy. There’s a lot of truth to the old adage “move it or lose it”: if we don’t keep moving, we lose our ability to do so. Exercise can be fun and finding something enjoyable will help you to stick to it. The social interactions that come with exercising, particularly in groups or clubs, is an added advantage which also has mental health benefits. Written by Andrew Lavender. Republished with permission of <a href="https://theconversation.com/">The Conversation.</a> <img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/101808/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-advanced" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />

Caring

GP dies months after noticing pain in shoulder

The sensation of pulling a muscle is one that’s not uncommon for many Australians. But for 63-year-old GP Pauline Vizzard, it was a sign of something worse to come. <a href="http://www.news.com.au/" target="_blank">News.com.au</a> reports family, friends and patients of the normally energetic doctor were shocked when it was revealed the shoulder pain she experienced was not caused by a torn muscle, but an aggressive cancer manifesting in her ribcage. Following her diagnosis Vizzard, who up until that point has been considered fit and healthy, was found to be riddled with disease in her organs and passed within a month. And what makes matters worse, the cause of the cancer was found to be asbestos exposure from Vizzard’s time working at a hospital in the NSW Hunter Region. “It was a surprise on everyone’s behalf,” her son Ben Harrison, 34, told <a href="http://www.news.com.au/" target="_blank">News.com.au</a>. “You sort of associate asbestos cancers with people who may work in industry for all their life, and to have someone who is so removed from what you’d normally expect to be a high-risk industry... there’s no cure for mesothelioma at all, it’s fatal 100 per cent of the time.” After fighting the disease Vizzard passed in April 2015. One patient wrote on a tribute page: “I’m finding it extremely hard to believe this every morning when I wake. Pauline was my doctor close to 30 years. I will miss her dreadfully.” Another said: “Not only a great doctor and an integral part of the Singleton community but an aunty who I have always loved and admired. Sadly missed but so fortunate to have known her.” Around 600 people still die of asbestos-related incidents around Australia each year, with a rise in DIY home renovations believed to be one of the driving forces. The Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency’s 2016-17 report recorded an increase in occupational exposure to 70 per cent from 64 per cent the previous year." David Jones, Hunter Region executive partner from Carroll & O’Dea Lawyers, which managed Dr Vizzard’s case, said: “As the case demonstrates, mesothelioma has a long latency period after exposure, meaning that workers exposed to asbestos a generation ago might still contract the disease. “Asbestos in situ can still be found in many older public buildings and homes, and as the fabric of these infrastructures containing asbestos products deteriorates, the dangers of exposure to asbestos fibres is on the increase. Many are part of the ageing public infrastructure.” To find your nearest testing lab, call 1800 621 666. If you think you may have been exposed, register details on the <a href="https://www.asbestossafety.gov.au/national-asbestos-exposure-register">National Asbestos Exposure Register</a>.

News

The little-known condition affecting up to 30% of over-60s

<img width="125" height="156" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/43999/kate-gregorevic_125x156.jpg" alt="Kate Gregorevic (1)" style="float: right;"/>Dr Kate Gregorevic is a geriatrician with a research interest in health and lifestyle factors that are associated with healthy ageing and recovery from illness. Are you at risk for sarcopenia? Here’s how to recognise and manage this common condition. Sarcopenia occurs when there is a loss of muscle mass associated with a loss of function. This leads to an increased risk of falls, fractures and, if severe, loss of mobility and disability. Around <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4248415/" target="_blank">30 per cent of women and 10 per cent of men</a> aged 60 and older have sarcopenia. Sarcopenia usually has multiple causes including poor nutrition, inactivity, inflammation and chronic disease. Once sarcopenia is identified there are multiple lifestyle interventions that can improve muscle function and avoid the consequences of sarcopenia. How do people develop sarcopenia? As we age, there is a loss of muscle mass. Muscle mass peaks in the fourth decade and from there around one per cent is lost per year. As people age, there is decreased blood flow to muscles. There are also changes in the mitochondria (the powerhouses of cells), which make muscles less efficient. There can also be a loss of the number of muscle fibres, which is particularly associated with inflammation and disease. There are also non-age-related factors. Poor nutrition, particularly poor intake of protein and inactivity are the two most important. Vitamin D deficiency may also play a causative role. How do you know if you are at risk sarcopenia? The best way to identify loss of muscle mass is by having a body composition scan called a DEXA. This uses low energy x-rays and can look at the body composition. This also measures bone density, so can also identify osteoporosis (thin bones), which is frequently linked with sarcopenia. The <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27066316" target="_blank">clinical definition</a> of includes not only low muscle mass, but also impaired function. There are some simple questions based on everyday activities that can predict if you are at risk: <ol> <li>Do you have difficulty rising from a chair?</li> <li>Do you have trouble walking across a room?</li> <li>Do you have trouble climbing a flight of stairs?</li> <li>Are you able to carry something heavy (e.g. grocery shopping)?</li> <li>Have you had any falls?</li> </ol> If any of these questions raise concerns, you may be at risk for sarcopenia and associated adverse outcomes. Why is poor muscle strength a problem? If muscle mass and strength fall below a critical level, it can cause difficulties with simple activities of daily life, like carrying laundry. At a more significant level, it can even cause difficulty with essential activities like getting off the toilet. People with sarcopenia are also more likely to fall. Due to the association with sarcopenia and osteoporosis, this can then lead to fractures. What can you do to improve sarcopenia? It is important to understand that muscle mass itself doesn’t just predict outcomes like falls and fractures. Even if there is a relative loss of muscle, you can still take steps to improve strength and function and lessen the risks of adverse outcomes: <ol> <li>Resistance exercise – We all know that muscles can get stronger with use. This is true at any age and stage of life. Resistance exercise is a form of exercise that makes your muscles work against a force. This can start as simple exercises like standing from a chair without using your arms five times. If you are new to resistance training, it is best to get the advice of an exercise physiologist who has experience working with older adults.</li> <li>Balance and stability training – While balance training won’t necessarily improve muscle strength, this can decrease the risk of falls. This can be undertaken simultaneously with resistance training.</li> <li>Protein intake – In a study that looked at the effect of resistance training for older adults with sarcopenia, those who also had supplementation with high quality protein <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26864356" target="_blank">gained more muscle and strength</a>. This can be achieved with supplements, but also with inclusion of high protein foods in the diet, like dairy.</li> <li>Vitamin D – For those who are deficient in vitamin D, taking a supplement <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25033068" target="_blank">can also improve muscle strength</a>. This will also help to strengthen bones and prevent osteoporosis. This should be taken as a low daily dose as intermittent high doses can increase the risk of falls.</li> </ol> Like so many aspects of ageing the risk for sarcopenia is cumulative, which means that it is never too late to take action. Studies have shown that even the frailest older adults can improve their strength with exercise. Maintaining independence throughout life is a huge priority for most people. Taking steps to optimise muscle health is a key step in healthy ageing. Please note, this article contains general education and should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. If this article raises any health or other concerns, please consult your own medical practitioner. For the latest research on ageing well, follow Kate on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/drkate_elderhealth/" target="_blank">@drkate_elderhealth</a>.

Caring

Why do my muscles feel so stiff?

Tracy Adshead is a yoga teacher specialising in yoga for seniors. She is passionate about bringing healing and healthy ageing to the community. Do you ever feel stiff when standing up from your seat? Do normally easy actions now produce aches and pains? Tightness and stiffness aren’t just due to ageing – that’s only part of the story. Compression, dehydration and inactivity can trigger what’s know as adhesion. For instance, when fibrous connective tissue becomes dehydrated, the fascial layers that are supposed to glide smoothly start to stick and drag. What this means for your muscles is that the muscles strands get stuck together and hey presto – you feel tight. A daily walk doesn’t demand that these muscle groups separate very much – that’s why a gentle daily yoga practice is so beneficial. Long periods of sitting day after day with only minimal walking breaks for exercise will lead to the fascial layers getting stuck together. When you finally experiment with a forward bend or hamstring stretch, the muscles feel tight and not very responsive to stretch. While being able to do the splits is not especially useful, being able to reach down to tie your shoelaces certainly is. So what can we do? 1. Make sure you drink eight glasses (eight ounces) of water a day. When your body doesn’t get enough water through the day it starts to draw on other sources like the skin and internal organs. 2. Try to incorporate gentle stretching into your day every day and get those muscle strands moving. You can join me on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqYuCGT42uV6lFZ-TCqr11g" target="_blank">YouTube</a> or find a local class. The University of Arizona has proven that a low intensity stretch held for at least three minutes but often as long as 5 minutes, causes a release of cellular messengers that improve the body’s flexibility. Here’s an example of a yoga posture that’s low intensity, very good for the spine, chest and shoulders: <img width="348" height="261" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/40044/tracy-adshead-2-in-text-photo_348x261.jpg" alt="Tracy Adshead 2 In Text Photo" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/> Follow Tracy on Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TracyChairYoga/" target="_blank">here</a>.

Body

Why it’s so important to build muscle

Muscle is incredibly important to our health – not just in keeping our body stable and protecting our joints, ligaments and bones, it's required for a number of other biochemical functions. We are designed to move. Research, as well as common sense, teaches us that a sedentary lifestyle takes years off our lives, not to mention negatively affecting the quality of our lives. Unless we actively build muscle from the age of 30 onwards, we lose it. For your whole life, you want the ability to move and have the freedom to undertake the tasks you want and need to do. You do not want to rely on others to tie your shoelaces. Without a functional body, you can miss the joy, freedom and independence of these simple pleasures. Beyond functional movement, muscle mass also affects our metabolic rate and energy production. A process known as mitochondrial biogenesis was first described in the field of exercise physiology. It was found that certain types of exercise could induce large increases in muscle mitochondrial content, and thereby increased the ability of muscles to take up glucose during and after exercise, a very important and positive process. What are mitochondria? They are cellular organelles that function as power plants within a cell. In the same way that a local power plant produces electricity for an entire city, mitochondria are responsible for the production of energy derived from the breakdown of carbohydrates and fatty acids. They are located in every cell type (except red blood cells) and tissue in the human body, from your brain to the tendons around your knees. Muscle contains the highest mitochondrial content of any tissue in your body. Mitochondrial biogenesis, mentioned earlier, refers to the process of replicating mitochondria within a cell, resulting in a heightened capacity to build even greater energy. It is very important to maintain or preferably build muscle mass for greater energy. Muscle mass typically accounts for around a third of total body weight and a quarter of your body's metabolic activity. In contrast, body fat usually accounts for at least 20 per cent of your body weight (and more for many people these days) but only 5 per cent of metabolic activity! Your ratio of muscle to fat mass therefore greatly impacts your metabolic rate. Which means that if you have a higher proportion of muscle mass, your body uses more energy (calories) simply to sustain these muscles – and this can ultimately lead to less body fat being stored. Meeting muscles' energy needs Crash dieting and prolonged stress can actually lead to reduced muscle mass, as your body can convert the protein from your muscles into glucose to meet its energy needs. After dieting, the majority of people go on to regain the weight they lost (for myriad reasons) plus interest – a reduction in metabolically active muscle tissue may explain why it can become much easier to gain additional weight. So embrace some kind of resistance training. This doesn't necessarily mean you have to go to the gym. Pilates is a great form of resistance training and yoga uses your own body weight as resistance. Gardening, walking, carrying groceries or children, climbing stairs and farm work all contribute to muscle building. Don't avoid movement – look for more opportunities to move throughout your day. And don't forget to stretch. Fascia is the specialised connective tissue layer surrounding muscles, bones and joints, giving structure to the body. It aids muscle movement, but also provides a passageway for nerves and blood vessels, and hence the exchange of nutrients, waste and energy. Therefore, flexibility is a conduit to good energy, hormonal function and detoxification. If the cells aren't receiving the nutrients they need, or aren't able to mobilise waste away from themselves efficiently, this too can cause stress and inflammation within the body. Written by Dr Libby Weaver. First appeared on <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/" target="_blank">Stuff.co.nz</a>.

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