The suggestion to strength train twice per week doesn't mean you've gotten to pump plenty of iron and develop into a bodybuilder. Doing body weight exercises or using small dumbbells or resistance bands does job of keeping the muscles strong. But recent evidence suggests that lifting heavy loads can have long-lasting advantages. The study was published online on June 18, 2024. BMJ Open Sport and Exercise Medicineinvolved roughly 400 physically lively individuals (mean age 71) who were randomly assigned to considered one of three groups. People in the primary group spent a yr doing three weekly sessions of heavy machine-based weight lifting. Those within the second group did strength training with resistance bands and body weight exercises 3 times per week. Others were told to proceed their normal activities. After the initial yr, participants selected how lively to be, and their muscle strength was measured periodically. Four years after the study began, the heavy lifters still had strong leg muscles, while people in the opposite two groups had lost leg strength. Studies show that intense strength training is helpful, even at older ages. If you need to increase the quantity of weight you're using, do it slowly, and consider working with a private trainer for guidance.
Photo: © Mood Board/Getty Images
No material on this site, no matter date, ought to be used as an alternative choice to direct medical advice out of your doctor or other qualified practitioner.