New research on weightlifting has revealed two ideas: that the practice can strengthen the connections between nerves and muscles, and that this strengthening can still occur in the later years of our lives.
we actually started losing muscle mass before the age of 40, caused in part by a reduction in muscle fibers that occurs when motor neurons, cells in the brain and spinal cord that tell our bodies to move, break down.
This decline cannot be stopped, but the new study shows that it can be significantly slowed. According to the study results, weight training strengthens the connections between nerves and muscles, protecting motor neurons in the spinal cord, which is essential for the proper functioning of the body.
“Previously, researchers have been unable to prove that weight training can strengthen the connection between motor neurons and muscles. Our study is the first to present findings suggesting that this is indeed the case.” says exercise physiologist Casper Søndenbroe from the University of Copenhagen in Denmark.
This is due in part to the challenges of sampling enough tissue at places where muscle and nerve cells connect for meaningful measurements to be made. To overcome this, the researchers looked for biomarkers related to the stability of the junctions between neurons and muscles in the participants’ biopsy samples.
The research involved 38 healthy elderly men with an average age of 72 years, who were asked to complete a 16-week course of fairly intensive weightlifting training that included leg presses, leg extensions, legs and two exercises for the upper arm. Another group of 20 healthy elderly men, again with an average age of 72 years, did not do weight training and was used as a control comparison.
Weight training sessions were performed three times a week, and after two months (halfway through the experiment), differences in muscle size and fitness could be seen. The researchers collected muscle biopsies and found detectable changes in biomarkers.
From sore backs to sore knees, the suggestion is that weight training can slow down some of this breakdown between muscles and nervous system, without actually reversing it. The researchers suggest that starting earlier in life can build up “reserves” that the body can draw on.
“The study shows that even if you start late in life, you can still make a difference.” Sondenbroe says.
“Of course, the earlier you start the better, but it’s never too late, even if you’re 65 or 70. Your body can still benefit from heavy weight training.”
Although this study was conducted on men, this also applies to women: for example, older women, who are more likely to osteoporosisbenefit of endurance training as much as men do.
As many populations around the world continue living more time And over time, the issue of preserving a good quality of life in our later years becomes increasingly important, and that includes keeping our muscles working at their best.
as long as there is certain biological processes that cannot be stopped over the years, research has shown that diet, as well as exercise, can protect against some of the damage to which old age can leave us vulnerable.
The next stage in this particular area of research is to find out how strength training helps nerves and muscles stay together.
“Now we need to determine what specific mechanisms cause weight training to strengthen the connection with the nervous system.” Sondenbroe says.
“To do that, we need to introduce different methods, although our goal remains to make sure that as many older people as possible not only live longer, but also experience well-being.”
The research has been published in the American Journal of Physiology: Cell Physiology.
