18/02/2025
Here’s How to Future-Proof Your Body
To live long—and thrive—you need to be strong. Full stop. Muscle mass isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s your body’s ultimate insurance policy for aging well.
Without it, your body’s strength, mobility, and resilience decline. And this isn’t a slow, graceful descent, explains Matthew Laye, Ph.D., Associate Professor at The College of Idaho and chair of the Health and Human Performance Department. “It’s more like a staircase,” Laye says, “where events like illness or inactivity trigger sudden, steep losses in muscle mass or strength.”
These losses translate into a series of “I used to” statements: I used to play tennis before I tore a ligament. I used to hike regularly before a month-long illness left me sedentary. Each step down compromises your ability to live actively and independently.
Think of muscle as the currency of health—and a robust “bank account” keeps you moving through life with power. Strong muscles help you react quickly when life demands it, absorb impacts to prevent injuries, and even regulate blood sugar, reducing your risk of metabolic diseases like diabetes.
