Mar 4, 2020
Associate professor of sport and
exercise physiology, Brendan Egan, PhD has studied physiology and
nutrition since he was an undergraduate student.
On today’s episode, he discusses how training and nutritional
interventions can help slow the loss and decline of muscle mass,
function, and strength in ageing adults.
Tune in to learn the following:
“I don’t think there’s an example of a society or a population
that’s physically inactive and healthy. We have to acknowledge that
physical activity is imperative to health when it comes to the
human condition,” says Dr. Egan.
He explains that while an adult—without the appropriate
interventions—can lose 30 to 50 percent of their muscle mass
between the ages of 40 to 80, it is a process that ultimately
tapers out.
In contrast, muscle strength and function can decline until a
person is rendered unable to take care of themselves or even walk.
For this reason, he and his group are primarily focused on
interventions that address and slow the decline of muscle strength
and function that occurs with age.
Dr. Egan talks about the
importance of resistance and strength-based training and extra
protein intake in slowing the decline of muscle function and
strength. He explains that some people can benefit even from a
single hour of strength training per week, while others might
require more frequent training sessions.
Press play for the full conversation and view Dr. Egan’s
profile at https://www.dcu.ie/researchsupport/research-profile?PERSON_ID=1631629.