Express yourself and get fit with Nia!

  

By Michael A. Dalessio, M.S., CPT, UK Health & Wellness Graduate Assistant

 

Other than solely for the purpose of aesthetics, are you aware of the importance of muscle mass when it comes to aging well? It is well known that muscle mass decreases with age. What is even more worrisome is the fact that decreasing muscle mass is linked to a variety of negative health implications that may shorten the lifespan, including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Are you aware of the research that supports resistance training throughout the entire life spectrum, including during our eighth and ninth decades of life, which may actually prevent or even reverse some undesirable conditions or diseases?

 

The fact of the matter is that the larger your muscle "base" is as you age, the better equipped your body is to avoid or deter falling below the magical and imaginary threshold that prevents the body from experiencing a variety of negative conditions. So, in light of understanding the importance of resistance training and ensuring that your muscles are built sufficiently to withstand the aging process as effectively as possible, the next thing to consider is whether resistance training alone is the best means to get you there. According to an article by Hayes & Cribb (2008) in the journal entitled Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care, evidence exists that supports the necessity of supplementing the diet with protein in conjunction with resistance training in order to most affectively grow the musculature. Even more importantly, research supports that supplementation of the diet with a specific type of protein, known as whey protein isolate (WPI), is the most advantageous choice.

 

So you may be asking yourself, "Why Whey?" Whey protein isolate has several advantages over other proteins when it comes to promoting the growth of muscle. Whey protein isolate is a profile rich protein that is rich in the amino acids known to promote muscular growth, along with having the properties of rapid digestion and absorption. Even more importantly, research supports that whey protein consumption just before resistance training and immediately after may prove as the most effective means for enhancing muscular strength and size.

 

So when it comes to our ever existing quest to remain as healthy as possible throughout the entire life spectrum, it is clear that the musculature of the body is an extremely important factor to consider. Not only is resistance training the most effective way to ensure that muscles are sufficiently trained for function, but we now know that muscular size is important as well. Furthermore, the most advantageous combination to increase muscular size and strength may be to ensure that you are also implementing a diet plan that includes the ingestion of whey protein isolate sources just prior to and immediately after resistance training exercises.

 

If you have any questions on how to include resistance training as a permanent part of your everyday lifestyle, feel free to stop in and visit our knowledgeable Body Shop staff!

 

New to the Body Shop? Have questions? February's Membership Specialist, Michael Dalessio, CPT, MS, a Graduate Assistant for Health & Wellness, is here to help you. Feel free to ask him questions, offer suggestions, or set up a time to get oriented to the Body Shop facilities. You can find him in both facilities. Click here to read Body Shop staff profiles. 

Heart Sole & Glove 5K Run/Walk

The annual Heart Sole & Glove 5K Run/Walk is Saturday, Feb. 11, at 10:00 a.m., at Coldstream Park (Newtown Pike and Aristides Blvd.). Entry fee is $15 pre-registration and $20 day of race. Proceeds will benefit the UK College of Dentistry Mobile Van Outreach Program.The event is open to the community. So, challenge your friends and family to join you! Register today.
 

Health Smart Conversations About YOUR Health: The Keys to Your Healthy Heart
Learn about lifestyle recommendations for keeping your heart in peak condition. Join us for "The Keys to Your Healthy Heart," presented by Dr. Allison Bailey, Thurs., Feb. 9, from 12:10-12:50, Chandler Hospital, Pavilion A, A.00.123, Ground Floor. Register now.