2023-12-30 19:23:00
When the muscles are strengthened, they contribute to the protection of the joints, which allows them to exercise throughout their lives (Illustrative image Infobae)
One of the most common reasons for going to the gym is usually to increase muscle mass with the aim of improving the physical appearance of the body. However, there are several health benefits associated with increasing muscle mass.
Strengthening and growing muscles positively impacts joints, calorie burning, blood sugar levels, and body functionality during activities of daily living.
The use of weights in strength exercises helps increase muscle mass (Freepik)
Muscles play a crucial role in supporting joints because they absorb some of the impact generated by running, jumping, and even walking. Greater muscle mass means greater force absorption capacity, which helps protect joints from long-term damage.
In addition, muscles help direct correct movement in the joints, preventing tears and fractures due to inability to counteract opposing forces and thus offering better balance. As indicated in an articleAccording to Robert W. Westermann, orthopedic surgeon and professor at the University of Iowa Health Center, strengthening muscles helps protect joints, ensuring lifelong exercise ability.
The increase in muscle mass increases the basal metabolism, which implies a greater burning of calories at rest. Basal metabolism is the amount of calories the body uses at rest to perform functions such as breathing, transporting blood to different parts of the body, keeping hormone levels regulated, and repairing cells.
The growth of muscle mass intervenes in the reduction of blood sugar levels (Getty Images)
Therefore, according to the Mayo Clinic, people who have greater muscle mass burn more calories when the body is at rest because the elevation of their basal metabolism increases the number of calories that are burned in said state. This explains why each kilo of muscle burns more calories per day, compared to those burned by the same weight of fat tissue.
On the contrary, according to an investigation As of 2020, loss or decrease in muscle mass can cause diseases such as metabolic syndrome. The latter is defined by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the United States as a group of conditions characterized by high blood pressure, high blood sugar levels, and excess fat in the abdominal area. Additionally, metabolic syndrome is associated with overweight and obesity.
Increasing muscle mass can benefit blood composition by using glucose as fuel, which helps keep blood sugar levels low. In A study Published in Comprehensive Physiology, a physiology journal, the role of muscles for metabolism is highlighted because, through exercises, the uptake and absorption of glucose is carried out. This helps prevent metabolic diseases, as well as insulin resistance and diabetes.
Increasing muscle mass makes the movements we perform daily easier (Getty Images)
The mechanism behind this benefit is that when performing exercises to strengthen the muscles, they consume a greater amount of glucose, which favors the stabilization of the blood sugar level and prevents its negative consequences.
Gaining muscle mass not only benefits performance in the gym but also prepares individuals to have greater mobility and strength in the daily and recreational activities we do such as a soccer game with friends, taking care of the garden at home or taking a walk in nature. .
As Harvard Health Publishing, the media arm of Harvard University Medical School, points out, the body’s functionality depends on maintaining mobility and improving physical strength. To do this, it is recommended to perform at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week, which includes strength exercises aimed at strengthening the muscles.
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