By Cedars Sinai News –
The Los Angeles Times recently interviewed Martha Gulati, MD, director of Preventive Cardiology in the Department of Cardiology in the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai, about the benefits of strength training for older adults.
Building muscle mass is especially important for older adults because muscle loss occurs naturally with aging and increases rapidly after 60, said Smidt Heart Institute cardiologist Martha Gulati, MD
Exercises that work the muscles help build bone mass, improve balance, reduce joint stiffness, lower blood pressure and boost metabolism.
Gulati told the Los Angeles Times strength training can include lifting weights as well as yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi and using the body’s own weight—doing pushups, lunges and planks—to build muscle.
