Why is muscle strength the best anti-ageing secret?

If you only think of toned bodies and vanity when it comes to muscle building, you should urgently reconsider your point of view. New scientific findings show that strength training is not just a nice recommendation - but an essential strategy for actively halting the ageing process.

More than just muscle mass: why strength training is so important

As we age, the body loses muscle mass if we don't do something about it. This not only affects our strength, but also our metabolism and general health. Studies show that targeted strength training has far-reaching benefits:

• Protection against muscle breakdown: without targeted training, muscle breakdown begins in our 30s, doubles in our 50s and again in our 60s. But this is not an inevitable fate! Scientifically proven: You can still build muscle even at the age of 90.

• Strong metabolism: Muscles burn energy even at rest. More muscle mass means better fat burning and a more efficient metabolism.

• Protection against disease: Strength training significantly reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

• Healthy bones: Exercise through strength training promotes bone density and reduces the risk of osteoporosis.

• Brain power: Studies show that strength training counteracts cognitive decline and reduces the risk of dementia.

Strength training: the best preventative health care

In short: muscles are like insurance for your future. The earlier you start strength training, the better. But even if you start late - it's never too late to achieve positive effects.

Don't know how to start? Start with simple bodyweight exercises or use guided training programs that are specially tailored to different age groups and fitness levels. Only one thing is important: keep at it!

Scientific sources:

• Frontera, W. R., Hughes, V. A., Lutz, K. J., & Evans, W. J. (1991). A cross-sectional study of muscle strength and mass in 45- to 78-yr-old men and women. Journal of Applied Physiology.

• Peterson, M. D., Sen, A., Gordon, P. M. (2011). Influence of resistance exercise on lean body mass in aging adults: A meta-analysis. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise.

• Liu, C. J., & Latham, N. K. (2009). Progressive resistance strength training for improving physical function in older adults. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.