Seniors can add to muscle by pumping iron

As we age, our muscle mass decreases at surprising rates. According to Dr. David Heber, director of UCLA's Center for Human Nutrition, an average male who weights 180 pounds might after age 60 lose as much as 10 pounds of muscle mass over a decade.

But can we turn that around?

Heber says absolutely.In fact, new research published in the journal Medicine & Science In Sports & Exercise finds older adults who begin lifting weights after 50 may win the battle against age-related muscle loss.
Palais started weight training to build bone mass. But she built muscle mass as well.
Enlarge Jason Millstein for NPR

Palais started weight training to build bone mass. But she built muscle mass as well.
Palais started weight training to build bone mass. But she built muscle mass as well.
Jason Millstein for NPR

Palais started weight training to build bone mass. But she built muscle mass as well.

"You have to do what we call resistance exercise," Heber says. This can take a lot of different forms. "It could be lifting weights, it could be stretchy bands, but the key is you have to stretch a muscle."