“THERE IS NO PHARMACOLOGICAL INTERVENTION THAT HOLDS A GREATER PROMISE OF IMPROVING HEALTH AND PROMOTING INDEPENDENCE IN THE ELDERLY THAN DOES EXERCISE”
I am writing this post for the baby boomers, retirees, grey nomads, mums and dads, or grandmas and grandpas. Because if you think that body composition assessment is just for body builders, bootcampers and crossfitters… you are wrong.
And if haven’t heard the word #sarcopenia, you are going to hear about it now!
Sarcopenia
Sarcopenia is the age-related loss in skeletal muscle mass. And it is why we advocate that as you age, physical activity complimented by appropriate dietary support AND monitoring your body composition becomes even more important.
And the reason why we are big promoters of this approach is summed up by this research study which was first published over 20 years ago.
The following abstract (from the publication) is a very good summary for the findings of the study.
“Advancing adult age is associated with profound changes in body composition. One of the most prominent of these changes is sarcopenia, defined as the age-related loss in skeletal muscle mass, which results in decreased strength and aerobic capacity and thus functional capacity.”
What that means in plain English…
As you age, you lose your skeletal muscle mass and therefore your strength, fitness and physical functions.
This extract takes it a step further …
“Sarcopenia is also closely linked to age-related losses in bone mineral, basal metabolic rate and increased body fat content. Through physical exercise and training, especially resistance training, it may be possible to prevent sarcopenia and the remarkable array of associated abnormalities, such as type II diabetes, coronary artery disease, hypertension, osteoporosis and obesity. Using an exercise program of sufficient frequency, intensity and duration, it is quite possible to increase muscle strength and endurance at any age. There is no pharmacological intervention that holds a greater promise of improving health and promoting independence in the elderly than does exercise.”
What that means in plain English… pretty much the only way to overcome or get around all those problems is exercise.
Measuring and managing your muscle mass at any age is so important!
If you read this article (and much more literature besides), it quickly becomes clear that the most immediate effect of lack of physical activity is loss of muscle mass with all the other fun stuff following later…. type II diabetes, coronary artery disease, hypertension, osteoporosis, and obesity.
So monitoring your muscle mass to identify losses as you age is the best place to start to watch for the earliest signs. And make appropriate resistance exercise a fundamental part of your health and well being programs.
And I think all this makes a very strong case for my opener… baby boomers, retirees, grey nomads, mums and dads, or grandmas and grandpas - body composition assessment is NOT just for body builders, bootcampers and crossfitters.
What’s more, #DEXA and body composition is not all about measuring how shredded you are … monitoring your muscle mass (and your VAT) for your overall health matters.
We truly believe DEXA and body composition assessment has a VITAL monitoring role to play in the PREVENTION of the “remarkable array” of lifestyle related diseases which plague our society today.
And if you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it.
Got questions? Drop us an email at info@physiquescience.com.au.
But most importantly… book your scan NOW and find out your DEXA health!