The Importance of Lean Muscle Mass As We Age.

“We are built to lift… when we don’t, our physiology rebels.” 

Robert Newton, Professor of Exercise Medicine at ECU’s Exercise Medicine Research Institute. Professor Newton sits on CCA’s Advisory Board.

Skeletal muscle is not just a tissue; it is a metabolic organ. It regulates blood sugar, manages inflammation, maintains hormonal balance, and serves as the body’s primary reservoir of energy during acute illness and surgery.

As muscle power declines with age and inactivity, every metabolic process it supports begins to degrade simultaneously. Loss of muscle power is not a sign of aging. In many cases. It is the cause of it.

A major 2025 Mayo Clinic Proceedings study found that people with the lowest relative muscle power had nearly six times higher mortality risk than those with the highest - outperforming traditional strength measures as a predictor.

Source: Mayo Clinic Proceedings/Stanford University, April 2025.https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196(25)00100-4/abstract

Maintaining muscle and strength isn’t optional. It’s fundamental to how we function, age, and stay well. 

Recent guidance from the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care and Exercise and Sports Science Australia reinforces this.

You may also enjoy this Associated Press article about Taiwan’s new status as a Super Aged Society which includes an inspiring video of Taiwanese grandmothers aged 89 and 91 training at the gym 😊.

Because of this growing body of evidence, we are placing an even stronger focus on muscle strength and muscle health in our Exercise Medicine prescriptions at CCA.

If you’ve worked with us before, we’d love to welcome you back to the clinic for a review. Call us today on 08 9385 1430. Our Exercise Medicine programs are available in clinic and online.