When dieting the loss of muscle as well as fat certainly occurs in all age groups, but as we age muscle loss will have more and more of a negative impact. Why?
After about 25 years of age, we all start to lose muscle mass, strength and get reduced muscle function. Then from about age 40 there is a more rapid loss. This loss of muscle mass and strength is known as sarcopenia.
The loss of muscle strength and function due to sarcopenia, leads to decreased ability to lift things, less injury, finding it harder to balance and more likely to fall. Generally life gets a bit more difficult.
Sarcopenia is a natural part of the aging process. However, the rate at which it occurs and the impact sarcopenia has on the quality of life can be moderated by exercising.
A new study looked at weight loss in an older study population. The main finding was that those who did not combine exercising with eating less, lost muscle as well as fat.
The loss of muscle due to dieting in an individual who already has a significant level of sarcopenia can have major consequences. If you already don’t have a lot of muscle, loss of more muscle is going to have a very negative impact on life.
The study showed that those who exercised lost fat rather than muscle. Additionally, by the end of the study, those that exercised had the benefit of better muscle function too.
So as we age exercise has even more benefit, not only for cardiovascular health, but also for weight loss and general quality of life. Slow down sarcopenia!
[tags]older dieters, lose muscle, exercising, muscle strength, muscle function, sarcopenia[/tags]
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[...] The age-related loss of muscle is called sarcopenia. This loss of muscle is slow at first, but then from the 40’, there is a more rapid loss of muscle. For more information see the post Dieters Lose Muscle If Not Exercising. [...]