TRUE or FALSE: We're destined to lose muscle strength as we get older.
The answer is FALSE. A study in 2011 says "NO" to that notion. And they have proof. (You might be blown away by the photos below). This study contradicts the common assumption that muscle mass and strength decline as a function of aging alone. Instead, these declines may signal the effect of chronic disuse rather than muscle aging. Hopeful, Yes? And the good news is that it's never too late to start. Just for instance, after my bike accident and post concussion syndrome, I had a bleak year and a half of little vigorous exercise. Now I'm active biking or at the gym or yoga studio 4 to 6 days a week. Man, it feels good! I feel good: I'm stronger physically and more resilient mentally. Did you know that for mild depression 30 minutes of vigorous exercise 3 days a week has been shown to be as effective as taking an anti-depressant? Instead of spending time worrying about what will happen to our bodies as we age we can use that time to give our muscles and bones and joints the opportunity to do what they're meant to do: support us and move us. So go for it! We can't control the ups and downs that happen in the world, but we can control our resilience: our ability to respond well to the downs and to enjoy more the ups. That's MOJO! Congratulations if you've already made the commitment to do what it takes to stay strong and flexible! If you haven't, what's in your way to make the commitment to live your strongest and most able? What kind of help do you need? Start where you are and up your time and effort just a little every week. Commit to stay with it till you're feeling fine. Notice the moments that you enjoy it, and you'll start to get hungry for the next day of exercise. But what about pain or feeling tired? I can help so you can move with more ease and strength. Here's the study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22030953 Photos: Thanks to TomMeyers AnatomyTrains https://www.anatomytrains.com/blog/2018/11/27/exercise/
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
![]() About MeI'm Valerie Lyon, the Mojo Recovery Therapist. Archives
September 2019
Categories |