Research Finds Muscle Inactivity Weakens Muscle Strength & Mass

With the second strain of COVID-19 starting to spread, there are more chances of a second lockdown. And with rising WFH options, we are forced to lead a sedentary lifestyle most of the days. Recent research at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark shows that muscle inactivity in young people will take a toll on their muscle mass. To be precise, around two weeks of immobility in young people can weaken their muscle strength and make them lose 1/3rd of their muscle mass.

Muscle Inactivity Vs Muscle Mass

A surprising fact here is that the muscle inactivity affects the muscle mass of youngsters more than people in the age 40-50. The research was conducted by providing a leg pad to the participants to stay immobilized with literally no muscle activity. The final study after studying the effect immobility causes on the muscle strength of the young and old were noted. “A young man who was immobilized for two weeks loses muscular strength in his leg equivalent to ageing by 40 to 50 years”, says Andreas Vigelsoe, a researcher at the University. She also added that inactivity causes such rapid loss of muscle mass and that it will take a person three times the amount of time he has been inactive to regain the muscle strength he has lost.

Weight Training to Increase Muscle Mass

And on further investigation, the researchers concluded that weight training is absolutely necessary for those who have lost muscle mass due to muscle inactivity. Though cycling helps to a certain extent in regaining muscle strength, the muscle mass could be developed only with weight training. It is a type of strength training that helps with strengthening the muscles and increasing endurance. When a muscle works against a weight, it strengthens itself to a great extent. Weight lifting, resistance bands, dance, and a few other physical exercises are the examples of weight training.

We’ve always spoken how unhealthy a sedentary lifestyle is. But, this recent research has proven with facts that not only does inactivity contribute to various cardiovascular diseases but also makes your muscles weak by reduction in muscle mass. Hence, weight training is paramount in cases where the person has been immobile for long periods of time.