Your Largest Organ

 I just finished listening to a Mel Robbins podcast on The Science of Strength Training: Learn how lifting weights helps you lose weight, feel better and Live longer.  Her guest was

Dr. Gabrielle Lyon's forthcoming book "Forever Strong: A New, Science-Based Strategy for Aging Well,"   Here’s an interesting fact;

What do you think is the largest organ in the body?

Well…

It’s your Skeletal Muscles.  It makes up 40% of your bodyweight and is a nutrient sensing system. And when you contract your skeletal muscles it releases myokines, communicating with other organs of the body moving glucose into your cells.  And the best way to contract those skeletal muscles is through exercise.

Oh, and if you guessed your skin it only accounts for 5.5% of the total body weight.  And your actual skeleton is around 14% of your body weight. 

Here are some interesting takeaways from this podcast;

-Your Skeletal Muscles is a nutrient sensing system.

-People are too concerned about being overweight.  They need to stop thinking of what to lose (weight) and shift to what you can gain (muscle).

-There is no healthy sedentary person.

-Muscle is the currency of health.  You Must Earn It!

I totally agree!

Key to Longevity is Resistance Training NOT Cardio

The other weekend I attended the Manitoba Fitness Council’s conference.  One of the main presenters, Christine van der Hoek emphasized the importance of Lifting for Longevity.   Although an endurance athlete, she stated that the key to Longevity is Resistance Training and NOT Cardio.  As we age, fast twitch muscle decline and Scarponia (loss of muscle mass) is prevalent.  As strength is the foundation for all forms of activity the need to focus on fast twitch muscle fibers becomes a necessity. The most effective way to preserve muscle mass is to focus on POWER - either through Heavy Lifting or Going Fast.  Here’s the formula for Power;

POWER = LOAD/FORCE + VELOCITY/SPEED

Fast twitch muscle training not only alters skeletal muscle, but is also more metabolically active and can contribute to improvements in body composition, improving reaction time (less falls), and overall improved quality of life.

Muscle growth is important for movement and  longevity, and it's your nervous system that dictates the size and strength of your muscles.   Movement is governed by the relationship between the nervous system, neurons, and their connection to muscle. A nerve stimulus is needed to make the muscles want to change and focusing on your fast twitch muscles increases this stimulus. As we improve muscle quality, it changes how your entire body works - the nervous system, muscular system, immune system and internal organs.  I

The key to good quality health is Resistance Training - something we should always be striving for. 

So Use it!

Doug