Monday October 21st 6.30 - 7pm
As we age, the importance of muscle mass becomes increasingly crucial for our health and well-being. Your muscle mass plays a vital role in various aspects of our physical function, including metabolism, strength, balance, and overall mobility.
Unfortunately, with aging comes a natural decline in muscle mass, a condition known as sarcopenia. This decrease in muscle mass can lead to reduced strength, mobility challenges and the potential for a higher risk of falls and injuries.
Age related mobility limitations are a fact of life for many older adults. Studies have shown that about 30% of adults over the age of 70 have trouble and difficulty with walking, getting up out of a chair, or even climbing stairs. In addition to making everyday tasks difficult, mobility limitations are also linked to higher rates of falls, chronic disease, nursing home admissions and mortality.
So, to help combat the effects of aging on muscle mass, incorporating regular exercise, particularly resistance training, into our routines is essential! Strength training (also known as resistance training) is different than aerobic exercises such as running, cycling, or walking.
Weightlifting either with machines or free weights is one type of resistance training. Other types of resistance training include using medicine balls, or resistance bands, or body weight-bearing exercises such as push ups, squats, or yoga.
Resistance training requires our muscles to contract to lift an object against the pull of gravity. These bodyweight exercises help stimulate muscle growth, increases your overall strength, and improves muscle tone too. Working out and training isn’t all about aesthetics; it’s about maintaining functional strength and independence as we grow older.
In addition to resistance training, maintaining a diet rich in protein is crucial for supporting muscle growth and maintenance too. Protein serves as the building block for our muscles and consuming an adequate amount of rich protein foods such as, lean meats, fish, eggs, and legumes can aid in preserving your muscle mass.
Staying active through various other physical activities like walking, swimming, or Yoga can also contribute to overall muscle health and mobility. Regular physical activity not only helps preserve muscle mass but also promotes your cardiovascular fitness, flexibility, and mental well-being too.
Incorporating chiropractic care into the strategies for maintaining your muscle mass is highly beneficial. Chiropractors specialise in the musculoskeletal system, focusing on the alignment of the spine and joints. Through chiropractic adjustments, your chiropractic care can improve joint mobility, help reduce pain, and enhance overall function, which is crucial for supporting muscle health.
As we age, issues like joint stiffness, muscle tension and decreased mobility can become more prevalent. Your chiropractic adjustments address these issues by realigning the spine and joints, this eases muscle tension and improves your bodies overall function.
Ensuring proper spinal alignment, chiropractic care optimises nerve function, which is key for muscle health and coordination, ultimately aiding in maintaining muscle mass and overall physical well-being.
By combining your chiropractic care with exercise and incorporating protein rich foods into your diet you can create a holistic approach to preserving your muscle mass, improve your strength and mobility as your mind and body navigate the aging process.
With love,
Sophie
