Sarcopenia: "Most adults will lose between five and seven pounds of muscle every decade..."

Fitness and menopause

P.J. Wren / Delta Optimist 
April 4, 2014 12:00 AM


"As we age our muscles reduce in both size and strength. This is called sarcopenia and it is a natural occurrence.

Most adults will lose between five and seven pounds of muscle every decade and women, after the age of 30, will also decrease in our muscle density while increasing our intramuscular fat (awesome, huh?).

Intramuscular fat is the fat located throughout the skeletal muscles and has been associated with conditions such as insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Now, because of this loss of lean muscle mass (that happens with every passing decade), our metabolism will also decrease and a lower metabolic rate is one of the main contributors to middle-aged spread.

This can all change with a progressive strength training program. More than cardio, or aerobic fitness, strength training is the key for women in their menopausal years to decrease body fat, build lean muscle mass, improve bone density and increase their metabolism."

- See more at: http://www.delta-optimist.com/living/fitness-and-menopause-1.942497#sthash.7SznCpdo.dpuf