Forever strong

Does getting older mean becoming weaker? Although this tends to be the assumption, it doesn't have to be the truth.

Gradual muscle loss has been shown to be a normal part of the aging process. Muscle loss begins as early as age 30 and continues to decline each decade. However, this process can be slowed down. An interesting study by researchers from Denmark found that regular exercise - in particular strength training - helps men and women maintain strength later in life by slowing down the process of age-related muscle loss.

The researchers of the study took a look at a group of elderly people and found that while initial strength played a large role in strength improvements, the population in general benefited from strength training with greatest response in the frail elderly. These findings led the researchers to conclude that even though strength may decrease with aging, it can be maintained and improved with regular exercise regardless of age or ability.