What’s more, exercise is just not for your muscles and your strength. I’ve written on why muscles are involved in mood and you can go to this article to refresh your memory or read it if you haven’t already.

What recent research benefits those over 70? Undoubtedly, we have a great deal more in terms of input in our muscle maintenance than anyone thought when they considered people over 70. The newest research refutes that myth, providing new insights and amazing changes for this group.

But there are specific periods in our lives when certain changes will begin, and with each phase, there will be almost undiscernible changes. However, there are indications that those above 70, who are at greatest risk for instability, balance, problems, muscle weakness, and even bone fractures, require our attention. Previously, adequate work was not directed at the potential maintenance and retrieval of muscle strength in this group, and that is where new, exciting research is coming to the fore.

What Are the Groups?

Sarcopenia is the medical term for muscle loss, and it is a normal aging process that affects all humans, although the rate of onset and the severity of the condition is different among individuals. This slowdown in muscle mass, strength, and function has implications for the quality of life and dependence of the elderly. Muscle loss occurs at different ages and we need to pay attention to enable people to prevent or at least remediate this to some extent.

20s-30s Age Group

In the young adulthood (20s to 30s) age group, muscle mass is at its peak. This age group is likely to have the best muscle strength and function as most people. The body is well equipped to build up and preserve muscle tissue as long as the muscle is used and fed properly. However, even at this young stage, people with sedentary jobs may already experience some muscle atrophy that does not manifest itself clinically. It sets the stage for future deterioration, so appropriate physical activity and diet during these years are a sound investment into future muscle health.

40s Group

Beginning in the 40s, the person begins to show some changes as mentioned above. The literature reviews indicate that muscle mass starts to decline at about 0.5–1% every year after age 30 and the rate increases a little in the 40s. It is also the time when strength reduction is first noticed especially in muscle fibers which control power and speed.

The quadriceps, hamstrings, and calf muscles may start to weaken, especially in people with low levels of physical activity. Most people in this age bracket feel the fatigue and reduced physical endurance when engaging in physical activities.

50s Group

More specific features of muscle atrophy can be observed in the 50s. The rate of loss is higher, currently ranging between 1–2% every year. At this time, the hormonal changes worsen the muscle regeneration. To women menopause reduces the level of estrogen that accelerates muscle loss. Men also have low levels of testosterone that also worsen the muscle tissue.

The abdominal muscles and the lower back muscles, which are the stabilizers, also weaken a lot. Upper body strength, especially in the chest, shoulders, and arms, decreases at a higher rate than before.

60 Group

In the 60s, the loss of muscle is higher and the following rates are observed: 2–3% per year. The consequences of the changes are seen in the everyday life and the person needs help in performing certain actions. The muscles of the lower limb that include the quadriceps, hamstrings and gluteal muscles also weaken greatly.

Many people in this age group will report having problems with stairs, getting up from a chair, or walking for long distances. The hand grip strength is reduced which in turn affects the fine motor skills and the ability to handle objects. The sense of balance is also affected because muscle weakness and neurological changes in proprioception occur.

Over 70 Group

Muscle loss is at its highest in adults over 70, with annual losses of 3–5% if no schedule for slowing or reversing this loss is introduced. This accelerated decline has a major effect on the quality of life and independence. This age group has distinct muscle weakness with well-defined patterns of muscle involvement that have important functional implications

The quadriceps, hamstrings and gluteal muscles are the extremity muscles that are affected in a greater degree. This weakness is manifested as:

1. Difficulty in rising from sitting position
2. Slow walking
3. High chances of falling,
4. Difficulty in climbing stairs. The ankles are also liable to weaken, and this causes the client to have difficulty with walking and increased chances of falling.

Strengthen these muscle groups by including functional exercises that may involve using body weight, resistance bands, or light weights. Of course, any exercise routine in any age group should always be planned with a certified trainer or someone in a rehabilitation facility specifically to address these needs.

Some of the exercises that can be of great help include; standing from a chair, slow walks, sitting leg raises, and ankle exercises to build strength. Exercises in water are an excellent way to work on these muscles with minimum impact on the joints.

Balance is trained very effectively by standing exercises that reduce the base of support step by step. The tandem stance is particularly effective — this is when one stands with one foot in front of the other, heel to toe, to begin with, leaning on a sturdy chair or counter. In the event that stability improves, the support can be reduced to fingertip touch, then to no support at all.

The single leg stance is another basic exercise; start by holding a chair and lift one foot slightly off the floor for 10–15 seconds and then switch to the other side. This exercise directly strengthens the stabilizing muscles around the hips and ankles that are crucial for the prevention of falls.

Weight shifting exercises are used to develop the dynamic balance. The weight shift is to stand with feet hip width apart and then slowly shift weight from one foot to the other without moving the feet. Clock reaches expand on this by visualizing standing at the centre of a clock face and reaching one foot towards different ‘hours’ whilst remaining balanced. These movements enhance proprioception, which is the sense of where the different parts of the body are in space, and this sense is often reduced as one gets older.

The good news is that even though you have lost muscle strength, there is still the ability to help your muscles, pull back some of that strength and renew your ability to move and continue an active lifestyle. As has been noted by several of the articles, water exercises seems to be one of the best, especially for anyone with arthritic conditions. And, don’t forget that exercise is intimately associated with mood.

The post Strength Beyond Years: How Exercise Redefines Aging appeared first on Medika Life.

The Urology department pilot study sought to analyze penile tissue of men who recovered from symptomatic COVID-19 infection and developed erectile dysfunction (ED) after the infection.

The small study evaluated penile tissue collected from four men scheduled for penile prosthesis surgery due to erectile dysfunction. Two men had a history of Covid-19 infection, and the other two men had no history of illness.

Covid-19 is known to cause widespread damage to blood vessels throughout the body. SARS-CoV-2 causes damage to the cell layer lining blood vessels called endothelial cells. Endothelial cells contain two components that SARS-CoV-2 needs to infect cells. The SARS-CoV-2 spike protein binds to specialized receptors called ACE-2 and enters cells containing an enzyme called TMPRSS-2. Blood vessels have a high number of both ACE-2 receptors and TMPRSS-2.

The Miami research team hypothesized that endothelial damage in penile tissue could be the cause of post-Covid-19 erectile dysfunction.

The researchers evaluated penile tissue collected from four men scheduled for penile prosthesis surgery to test the theory due to erectile dysfunction. Two of the men had a history of Covid-19 infection. One had a severe disease requiring hospitalization. One had a mild case. These two cases were compared to a control group of two men who had no history of infection.

The paper is titled, “COVID-19 Endothelial Dysfunction Can Cause Erectile Dysfunction: Histopathological, Immunohistochemical, and Ultrastructural Study of the Human Penis.“

Urologists took biopsies from an area of the penis called the corpus cavernosum. A variety of tests were performed to evaluate cellular changes in the tissue. Damage to the penile vascular from Covid-19 could explain new onset erectile dysfunction after infection.

The scientists used three techniques to test for the effects of Covid-19. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Immunohistochemistry staining (eNOS), and viral PCR testing.

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed the presence of viral particles in men with a history of Covid-19 infection.

Immunohistochemical staining showed dramatic changes in the penile tissue of men with a history of Covid-19.

The scientists were unable to detect SARS-CoV-2 through PCR testing. The study authors propose the lack of detection is due to a low viral load in the penis.

The sample size of this pilot study is quite small. The results are not meant to provide a definitive scientific answer regarding the effects of Covid-19 on male sexual function. This small pilot study is the first paper to demonstrate penile damage on a cellular level. Further research will be needed.

This paper may also help some men overcome vaccine hesitancy. A study in the American Journal of Men’s Health showed men are less likely to seek help for any medical condition. Data analysis by Kaiser Health showed a gender gap with Covid-19 vaccination. More women are getting vaccinated than men. A CNN poll found 57 percent of Republican men did not plan to get vaccinated against Covid-19.

This paper from The University Of Miami helps men understand the importance of preventing getting infected from Covid-19.

There are three FDA-approved vaccines for Covid-19. The two messenger RNA vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer offer 95% protection against Covid-19. The Covid-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna use messenger RNA (mRNA). A single strand of mRNA delivers instructions to human cells to produce an antibody against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.

The Johnson and Johnson’s Janssen vaccine offers 72% protection against infection and 86% against severe disease. The Janssen vaccine uses Adenovirus 26 (AD26) as the vector to deliver DNA material into our cells to provoke an immune response.

The Moderna and Janssen vaccines are approved for those 18 years old and up. The Pfizer vaccine is approved starting at age 16.

All three vaccines are highly effective in preventing death.

This paper shows the Covid-19 vaccine may also protect men from erectile dysfunction.

The post University Of Miami Researchers Link Erectile Dysfunction to Penile Damage from Covid-19 appeared first on Medika Life.