Fitness and Ageing

As we grow older, exercise and maintaining fitness levels becomes more and more important due to natural degenerative change in our joints, tendons, ligaments, muscles and general soft tissue structures in our bodies.

1. As we grow older, exercise and maintaining fitness levels becomes more and more important due to natural degenerative change in our joints, tendons, ligaments, muscles and general soft tissue structures in our bodies.

2. During our 30s we begin to lose muscle mass and function. This ageing related condition is known as sarcopenia.

3. Physically active people may lose between 3-5% of their muscle mass and tone each decade after the age of 30. Despite being active, you will still have some muscle loss.

4. Researchers have identified numerous causes: ¹

  • Reduced nerve cells sending messages from the brain to our muscles to initiate movement;
  • Lower concentrations of hormones such as growth hormone, testosterone and insulin like growth factor;
  • Reduced ability to turn protein into energy; and
  • Insufficient calories or protein in our diet to maintain a healthy muscle mass.

 

5. The primary treatment for sarcopenia is exercise! More specifically, resistance or strength-based training which will also promote endurance. ²

A carefully prescribed and supervised strengthening program will be designed for you at Newcastle Integrated Physiotherapy so make an appointment today with one of our physiotherapists.

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Fitness and Ageing

As we grow older, exercise and maintaining fitness levels becomes more and more important due to natural degenerative change in our joints, tendons, ligaments, muscles and general soft tissue structures in our bodies.

Read More