#2: February Edition - Muscle Mischief Unveiled

Happy February everyone🩵. In 🇬🇷Greece, at the beginning of every month we say “Kalo Mina” - which means happy month!. This month’s athletic intelligence newsletter, I will be discussing Sarcopenia.

What is Sarcopenia

Sarcopenia, a condition characterized by the loss of muscle mass and function, was initially believed to be due to aging. The term itself, derived from the Greek words "sarx" (flesh) and "penia" (loss), vividly captures the atrophy or wasting of muscle tissue. While yes there is a link to aging, sarcopenia's impact can be exacerbated by factors such as physical inactivity, hormonal changes, chronic diseases, and malnutrition.

The Role of Resistance Exercise and Nutrition

Resistance exercise training emerges as one of the most effective ways to prevent the loss of muscle strength, function, and fat-free mass. It plays a crucial role in maintaining muscle function and mass. Adequate protein intake and creatine monohydrate supplementation can enhance the effects of resistance exercise, with limited data suggesting benefits on their own. Embracing a comprehensive approach that includes resistance exercise and proper nutrition is key to addressing and managing sarcopenia effectively in patients of all ages.

Some Benefits of Increased Muscle Mass

▪️ Increased independence

▪️Better cardiovascular health

▪️Quicker recovery post surgeries

▪️Decreased risk of cancers

▪️Better quality of life as we age

▪️Increased metabolism

If you're not currently engaged in resistance training, don't be disheartened – it's never too late to begin. Feel free to reach out, and I can assist you in getting started on your fitness journey.

For those of you already incorporating resistance training into your routine, I challenge you to step it up a bit. Consider increasing the weight by 1-5 lbs to keep pushing your limits.

My ultimate goal is to boost your athletic intelligence, so feel free to share these tips with others and get them to subscribe for monthly health insights to help you live healthier years ahead.

Until next time, Hope you have a physically active month 💪

Kosta Ikonomou.