When you stop moving or exercising, your muscles can weaken and shrink—this can happen surprisingly fast.
NASA’s bed rest studies highlight the significance of muscle loss during periods of disuse, such as prolonged bed rest. These studies emphasize the importance of resistance exercises, like weight lifting, and proper nutrition to reduce these effects.
As we age, muscle loss becomes more pronounced. Starting as early as age 30, muscle mass decreases by 3 to 8 percent per decade, with the rate of loss accelerating after age 60. This muscle loss is often accompanied by significant reductions in strength, making everyday activities more challenging.
The good news is that muscle loss IS REVERSIBLE, even for older adults. Muscles retain their ability to grow and repair throughout life. With the right combination of exercise and nutrition.it’s possible to rebuild muscle at any age. However, recovery may take longer in older adults, who may need to pay extra attention to their diet—particularly ensuring adequate protein intake—to support muscle repair.
So… muscle loss can occur quickly during periods of inactivity, especially as we age or when dealing with inflammation. However, with proper exercise and nutrition, it is possible to rebuild and maintain muscle mass, even in older adults. Stay active!
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