Aging and Muscle Strength: Why it's Important and What You Can Do About It

0 comment minutes reading

Did you know that your muscle strength decreases by 1% every year starting at age 25? After age 50, this can even increase to 3-5% per decade. This has significant effects on your daily functioning, but fortunately you can do something about it.

What is Muscle Strength?

Muscle strength is essential for smooth daily functioning and varies from person to person depending on age and level of movement.

Why is it Important.

Strong muscles reduce effort in daily tasks, prevent fatigue, reduce the risk of injury, reduce the risk of falls, promote self-reliance and can even reduce back pain.

How Can You Maintain or Improve It?

By doing muscle strengthening exercises regularly, preferably two to three times a week. Important guidelines are:

Start with a good warm-up.
Stop if exercises are painful.
Train major muscle groups and keep muscles balanced.
Build intensity gradually.
Repeat exercises and take rest.
Pay attention to your breathing.
Use weight if desired, but focus on repetitions.

If working out is not your thing, stay active in daily life with walking, biking and stair climbing, although specific strength training is most effective.