Loss of strength refers to a reduction in one's ability to exert force or power using their muscles. This can occur due to various factors that negatively impact muscle function. Some key causes of strength loss include:
- Aging - As we get older, there is a natural decline in muscle mass and quality known as sarcopenia. This leads to reduced strength capacity over time.
- Injury or illness - If you suffer an injury like a broken bone or get sick, it can result in a period of immobilization, atrophy, and weakness. This can happen very rapidly with bed rest.
- Poor nutrition - Not eating enough protein, calories, vitamins and minerals to support your muscle health and performance can result in decreases in strength over time.
- Sedentary lifestyle - A lack of resistance training and physical activity leads to loss of muscle and strength through atrophy processes. "Use it or lose it!"
- Hormonal changes - Shifts in testosterone, estrogen, cortisol and growth factors can negatively impact muscle protein synthesis, leading to reduced strength.
The impacts of strength loss are wide-ranging. You may struggle to complete once easy daily tasks like climbing stairs or carrying groceries. Your risk of injury, falls or fractures goes up. Your body composition shifts to higher body fat levels. And your confidence, vitality and quality of life declines.
So what can you do about loss of strength? Here are some key strategies:
- Start a progressive resistance training program using weights, bands, cables or even bodyweight exercises. This stimulates muscle protein synthesis.
- Follow a high protein diet with at least 0.5-1 gram per pound of body weight daily. Protein feeds muscles.
- Address any underlying hormonal imbalances or deficits with testing and evidence-based hormone therapies.
- Engage in balance, mobility and flexibility training to maintain muscular control and coordination.
- Consult a specialist like the clinicians at Optimal Hormone Solutions to design a customized treatment plan to match your hormone levels to that of your prime. Their unique (/agereverse-program) uses bioidentical hormone optimization, peptides and lifestyle design to help patients enhance strength, build lean muscle, sharpen focus and reignite health. Reset your biology and reclaim your power with Optimal Hormone Solutions!
By identifying and addressing the root causes of pathologic strength loss with science-backed therapies, you can recover your power, build your physique and elevate your health and function for lifelong gains.
Don't just accept weakness as an inevitable part of aging - take control of your strength today!