Muscle strengthening lowers risk of death from all causes.

[monkeybus]

Here is something that we all know intuitively, even if we spend most of our cushy lives sat down in comfy chairs, watching TV and eating junk.

Half an hour of muscle strengthening activity such as lifting weights, push-ups or heavy gardening each week could help reduce the risk of dying from any cause by as much as a fifth.

theguardian.com/society/202...

The reason I post this is because this report says that muscle strengthening doesn't just stop you from getting fat or stop your spastic muscles from wasting, it reduces your from dying from any illness. My main main worry, apart from my disease progressing is dementia.

I know about how regular, light exercise can cut the risk of dementia by plenty.

Now, I am also thinking about what I can do to minimise the risk of developing cerebral AMN (apart from not smacking my head against a wall).

Or, to be more precise, 30 to 60 minutes of muscle strengthening activity every week is linked to a 10% to 20% lower risk of death from all causes. So, this study days.

And not just any study, this one is from Japan. JAPAN. It must be true.

It is recommended adults do strengthening activities working all the major muscle groups at least two days a week as well as doing at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity each week.

I have posted before about how light exercise helps build grey matter up in your brainbox.

As it says here, not part of the study but I suppose The Guardian had to find a UK angle - UK physical activity guidelines say muscle strengthening activities can include carrying heavy shopping bags, yoga, pilates, tai chi, lifting weights, working with resistance bands, doing exercises that use your own body weight such as push-ups and sit-ups, heavy gardening such as digging and shovelling, wheeling a wheelchair or lifting and carrying children.

Most of those are out. Last thing I should do is carry a child, but I can do the yoga, push ups, and the like.

Use it or lose it. Best of luck exercising all the major muscle groups though.

[monmon]

All totally true. I’m an InstructAbility fitness instructor - one of those disabled people teaching disabled people (but I promise you I’m not biased 😏). My clients are mainly living with MS and Parkinson’s and I can see first hand what good the moving the almost unmovable does. Even if just to get those jolly endorphins doing the job they were designed for. So, ready, steady…

[deengo]

So how about we all lift weights. I'll be happy to coach anyone that needs it.

I do plenty of weight lifting at 56 so I hope they're right

[monkeybus in reply to deengo]

Yeah man.

I am in, Keep meaning to get some weights for in the house.

I normally just do push ups until I get bored.

[deengo in reply to monkeybus]

That's great that you're doing something. Push-ups are a good exercise. I've seen to many people just give up and give in to whatever their ailments may be. Its super hard at the gym for me with my legs dying and all the pain I have but people are awesome at giving me a hand when I need it and I get to spread the word about AMN when people ask what's wrong with me.

[monkeybus in reply to deengo]

Yes, ain't easy. I go cycling. I stick to the river now. Roads can get a bit crazy when my legs fly off the pedals or I have to stop for the lights and balance on one leg.

Spring now. I am going to get out and about, get my upper half ready for the beach.

What do you reckon, deengo ? Start off with dome dumb bells? How many KG?

I wear 2KG ankle weights when I pop down the store for milk. Short walk, feel good with the weights. They anchor my feet to the ground as well. I wear them around the house as well. All those trips to the toilet and to the front door to collect Amazon, I make it work.

Still need to do more.

[monkeybus in reply to deengo]

deengo , do you ever use FES on your muscles?

I am a big fan of FES, no way it will actually build muscles, but it really gets them moving. I have read of all sorts of professional sports folks use it after a workout/help repair damage, etc.

[quilling]

I agree and though I lost ability to do many things early on and continued to lose I have always been of the move it or lose it mind. I am 61 started symptoms in my 20s, falling in 30s AFOS, but kept going. Doctors don’t know how I stand(for a short time knees bent against counter) or walk a bit with rollator. It’s hard and I mostly sit. It I keep pushing, crawling to weed and do what I can because I know if I stop I’ll be confined to a chair.

[julie_]

I haven't posted here in a while but I also agree with the strengthening! I had missed my workouts in the gym in January due to the frigid temps, but as soon as I could I was out again and it makes a great difference, both mentally and physically! Even the act of making your way to the gym is helpful to the mental state of being - you are the one in control!