Muscle Matters.
As we get older, one of the most important things we can do for our health may be to keep our muscle. Not just to look stronger. Not just to lift heavier weights. But to help us stay active, independent, and possibly even live longer.
A study in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research looked at body composition and survival in adults over age 65. The researchers measured muscle mass, body fat, and where that fat was stored. Then they followed these adults for about four years.
One of the biggest findings was simple: muscle matters. Older adults with lower muscle mass had a higher risk of death during the study. In men, having more fat stored around the organs, called visceral fat, was also linked to a higher risk.
But here’s where it gets interesting. Having more total body fat was not always linked to worse outcomes. In some cases, people with more total body fat actually had a lower risk of death.
So maybe we need to change the conversation as we age. Instead of always asking, “How much do I weigh?” we should also be asking, “Am I keeping my muscle? Am I staying strong?”
The scale can’t tell you how much muscle you have. It can’t tell you how strong you are. And it definitely can’t tell you what your body is capable of doing.
As we get older, our muscles need a reason to stick around. Lift something. Carry something. Push something. Pull something. Keep moving. Keep getting stronger.
Don’t wait until getting weaker starts changing what you can do. If pain, stiffness, or an old injury is keeping you from lifting, exercising, or staying active, schedule an evaluation with us. We’ll help you figure out what’s holding you back and build a plan to get you moving, loading, and getting stronger again. Your goal isn’t just to add years to your life. It’s to stay strong enough to enjoy them.
Santana FM, Domiciano DS, Gonçalves MA, et al. (2019). “Association of Appendicular Lean Mass, and Subcutaneous and Visceral Adipose Tissue With Mortality in Older Brazilians: The São Paulo Ageing & Health Study.” Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, 34(7), 1264–1274.
