Strength Training Prevents Muscle Loss -- And Keeps You Hoisting Your Own Groceries
ROCHESTER, MINN. -- If it takes all your energy to carry a bag of groceries, you could be feeling the effect of sarcopenia (sarh-ko-PEE-nee-uh), loss of muscle mass that comes with normal aging. One study showed that 45 percent of women ages 65 to 74 were unable to lift ten pounds.
But you can do something to slow muscle loss, according to the February issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter. Challenging your muscles at least 20 to 30 minutes three times a week can net positive and noticeable results -- no matter how old you are. You can give your muscles a workout with exercises that use your own body weight as resistance or even simple free weights or elastic resistance bands.
Lacking adequate exercise, muscle mass typically decreases about one percent each year after age 30. That adds up and can cause other health problems including slowing metabolism, which can lead to weight gain.
Shelly Plutowski507-284-5005 (days)507-284-2511 (evenings)e-mail: [email protected]
Mayo Clinic Health Letter is an eight-page, monthly newsletter of reliable, accurate and practical information on today's health and medical news. To subscribe, please call toll-free 800-333-9037 and mention ordering code 9PR1.
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