Abs and biceps may hog the spotlight, but our bodies have more than 650 muscles that allow us to walk, sit, chew and yes, flex. In fact, muscles make up over 50 percent of our body mass. In this seven-part Muscle Medicine Series, we’ll bulk up on the facts and fictions related to our muscles. Let’s begin with a quick science lesson.
Muscles are fibrous, elongated cells that move our bodies by contracting based on signals sent from the brain. We have three types of muscle tissue:
- Cardiac muscles in the heart
- Smooth muscles that give shape to hollow organs
- Skeletal muscles attached to our bones
From our pinky toes to our eyelids, skeletal muscles are the ones over which we have voluntary control. Because they’re in constant use, whether it’s standing up from bed in the morning or typing at a desk, our muscle cells are in a constant state of degradation (MPB, or muscle protein breakdown) and repair (MPS, or muscle protein synthesis).
Resistance exercise like weight lifting helps to increase the ratio of MPS over MPB, creating muscle growth. But as we age, the balance shifts in favor of MPB, resulting in atrophy. That loss of muscle mass is why seniors are more prone to falling—and why there’s less muscle cushion to protect their bones from breaking when they do. (More on that in parts 2 and 3 of our series, “Strength Training for Life” and “Slow Age-Related Muscle Loss.”)
Beyond providing strength, bone protection and better balance, our skeletal muscles also support our body’s other systems. Encouraging muscle growth via exercise boosts metabolism, helping our organs to function at their best and reducing fat accumulation. In turn, healthy muscles are associated with improved immunity. During our fights with long-term diseases such as cancer, where our immune systems become exhausted, our muscles step up as a source of additional T cells, literally keeping us alive. Is it any wonder that healthy muscle mass has a direct correlation to longevity?
If you have any questions about getting stronger, building or maintaining muscle mass, talk with your doctor. Need a doctor referral? Call (843) 402-CARE.
Read Part Two: Strength training for life
Editor’s Note: This blog is an excerpt from the article “Muscle Up,” originally authored by Stratton Lawrence. This piece was featured in the Winter 2022 issue of House Calls.