More evidence for you to keep exercising as exercise is found to preserve your muscles in good condition even as you age.
The researchers evaluated whether high levels of chronic exercise prevents the loss of lean muscle mass and strength experienced in sedentary aging adults.
A cross-section of 40 high-level recreational athletes aged 40 to 81 years and trained 4-5x per week underwent tests and here you can see the results in the quadriceps (or thigh muscles).
This study contradicts the common observation that muscle mass and strength decline as as you grow older. Instead, these declines may signal the effect of chronic disuse rather than muscle aging.
The researchers concluded that this maintenance of muscle mass and strength may decrease or eliminate falls, functional decline, and loss of independence that are commonly seen in aging adults.
Did I hear any of our patients wanting sexy & strong legs?
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Reference
Wroblewski AP et al (2011). Chronic Exercise Preserves Lean Muscle Mass In Masters Athletes. The Physician & Sports Medicine. 10.3810/psm.2011.09.1933
* Picture from the article.
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