Building and maintaining muscle for longevity

Steeltown!



Stuart Phillips, PhD, is a professor of kinesiology at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, where he also serves as the director of the Physical Activity Centre of Excellence.

His research centers on the roles exercise and nutrition play in influencing human skeletal muscle protein turnover and how these lifestyle factors influence body composition, especially as we age.

  • 00:01 ️ Introduction of Dr. Stuart Phillips and discussion on his background and expertise
    • Dr. Stuart Phillips introduces himself as a professor in the department of kinesiology at McMaster University in Canada.
    • Discussion on his research focus, including skeletal muscle, aging, and physical activity for various populations.
  • 02:42 Community center for physical activity and discussion on cardiac rehabilitation
    • Description of the Physical Activity Center of Excellence, a community access center for various populations.
    • Explanation of the cardiac rehabilitation program and its role in supporting individuals' health and wellness.
  • 07:26 Connecting through social media and discussion on women's fitness and menstrual cycle
    • Story of connecting with Dr. Stuart Phillips through social media and mutual interests in women's fitness.
    • Discussion on misconceptions about exercising around the menstrual cycle and the lack of scientific evidence supporting phase-specific training.
  • 16:46 ️‍♀️ Lifting heavy vs. high-rep lifting for muscle gain
    • Exploration of the importance of resistance training for overall health and muscle development.
    • Addressing the misconception around the necessity of lifting heavy weights and discussing the benefits of lighter weights and higher repetitions for muscle growth.
  • 20:11 ️‍♂️ Weightlifting: Heavy vs. Light
    • The debate between heavy lifting and lighter weights for muscle building and strength.
    • Heavy lifting is essential for strength gains but not necessary for muscle growth.
    • Lifting lighter weights with higher volume can still lead to muscle hypertrophy and offer other health benefits.
  • 26:11 Consistency over Intensity
    • Emphasizing consistency in workouts over high-intensity training.
    • Prioritizing long-term sustainability and injury prevention.
    • Finding enjoyment in workouts to maintain consistency and adherence to a fitness regimen.
  • 29:12 Progressive Overload in Training
    • Discussing the concept of progressive overload beyond just increasing weight.
    • Progression can involve increasing sets, frequency of workouts, or volume lifted.
    • Adapting workouts to challenge oneself while maintaining consistency and avoiding boredom.
  • 36:32 Nutrition for Fat Loss and Muscle Gain
    • Importance of caloric deficit for fat loss and caloric surplus for muscle gain.
    • Focus on high-quality weight loss, preserving muscle mass during fat loss.
    • Protein intake recommendation of around 0.7-1 gram per pound of body weight for optimal muscle growth.
  • 40:38 Importance of consistent weightlifting
    • Consistency in weightlifting is key for muscle growth and strength.
  • 43:10 Breakfast as a crucial meal for protein intake
    • Breakfast plays a significant role in kickstarting the protein synthesis process.
    • Adding protein-rich foods like eggs or Greek yogurt to breakfast can boost overall protein consumption for the day.
older man fit - Copy.webp


*Is it necessary to cycle your workout around your menstrual cycle ?

*Do we need to lift heavy in order to make changes in our body composition?

*Can we do body weight only or high reps only?

*What is progressive overload and how do we do it?

*How much protein do we actually need and is it really that important?
 
 
 
 
I think the Dr. Phillips likely means well, however as an "older adult" I wonder if he has actually studied people in their 60's or above who are maintaining (or trying to maintain) abilities consistent with healthy people in their thirties (basketball ability being one of the best measures of this). I say this because the obstacles to maintaining muscle function for me have all come from joint issues, nerve issues (e.g., various flavors of "old man leg" such as old man hamstring) or chronic injuries/pain such as the feeling of a charley horse that never heals. Protein is obviously important, but in my experience, BPC-157, DMSO, HGH, stretching, joint-friendly anabolics, various pain remedies, and targeted movements like single-leg dumbbell stiff-legged deadlifts are way more important. One can't work the muscles very well if joints, nerves and general pain are not in good condition and I have experienced and seen these being the limiting factors almost all of the time.
 
@Guided_by_Voices

It's his forte!




Dr. Stuart Phillips works extensively with older adults aged 60-90 and beyond, leading research into sarcopenia (age-related muscle loss) and effective exercise and nutrition strategies to improve their muscle health and overall quality of life. He is a Canada Research Chair in Skeletal Muscle Health in Aging at McMaster University and is involved in projects and studies focused on physical and community mobility, strength training, and protein supplementation to help older adults maintain their independence and live healthier, longer lives.




Specifics of his work with older adults:

  • Focus on Sarcopenia:
    His primary research area is sarcopenia, the progressive loss of muscle mass and strength with age.

  • Exercise and Nutrition Strategies:
    He investigates innovative ways, such as high-repetition, low-resistance strength training and specific protein supplementation, to combat sarcopenia.

  • State-of-the-Art Methods:
    He utilizes advanced techniques, including stable isotope tracers, blood and tissue sampling, and cell culture models, to study the molecular mechanisms of muscle aging.

  • Community-Based Research:
    His work includes projects like the EMBOLDEN trial, which uses community co-design to enhance the physical and community mobility of older adults, according to McMaster University.

  • Promoting Active Aging:
    He advocates for increased physical activity and provides evidence-based approaches to help older adults remain independent and improve their quality of life.





Overview

Stuart Phillips is a Professor in the Department of Kinesiology and a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Skeletal Muscle Health. He is Director of the Physical Activity Centre of Excellence (PACE) and the McMaster Centre for Nutrition, Exercise, and Health Research, and Lab Lead for the Exercise Metabolism Research Group. Stuart’s research is focused on the impact of nutrition and exercise on human skeletal muscle. He is keenly interested in diet- and exercise-induced changes in body composition. Stuart believes that a little bit of exercise is better than no exercise, and aims to encourage more physical activity in older adults. He has more than 31,000 career citations, and over 400 original scientific research and review papers.









The Vital Role of Resistance Exercise in Aging

As we age, maintaining muscle mass and strength becomes increasingly challenging due to sarcopenia—a natural decline in muscle function—and episodes of disuse caused by illness, injury, or sedentary habits. For older adults, this can accelerate muscle loss, reduce mobility, and lead to greater dependence. However, resistance exercise offers a powerful countermeasure to combat these effects and support healthy aging.




Why Resistance Exercise Matters

Skeletal muscle is crucial for mobility, metabolic health, and overall quality of life. Yet, aging reduces our muscle's ability to respond to protein intake and physical activity—a condition called anabolic resistance. When combined with disuse (e.g., after hospitalization), the effects are compounded, leading to significant atrophy and strength loss. Encouragingly, research shows that resistance training (RT) can directly counter these challenges by stimulating muscle protein synthesis and promoting muscle regrowth.




The Impact of Disuse

Studies highlight how short-term inactivity can cause years' worth of muscle loss. For instance, two weeks of bed rest in older adults can result in muscle loss equivalent to 2–3 years of natural aging. Recovery is often incomplete, making prevention essential. Disuse not only reduces muscle mass but also impairs strength, coordination, and independence.




Resistance Exercise: A Solution

RT, whether through traditional weightlifting, bodyweight exercises, or resistance bands, is a proven method to mitigate muscle loss. It enhances muscle protein turnover, increases type II muscle fiber size (critical for strength and power), and combats anabolic resistance. When paired with adequate protein intake, RT helps older adults maintain and regain strength, improving their resilience against disuse-related muscle atrophy.




Making RT Accessible

One barrier to RT adoption among older adults is accessibility. Resistance bands and bodyweight exercises provide cost-effective and practical solutions. Programs tailored to individual abilities, combined with nutritional guidance, can ensure older adults reap the benefits without the need for complex equipment.




The Call to Action

The evidence is clear: regular resistance training is indispensable for older adults to combat muscle decline, enhance mobility, and maintain independence. By integrating RT into daily routines, we can shift the trajectory of aging toward greater health and vitality.


Let's champion the importance of resistance exercise for aging populations. Together, we can empower individuals to age actively and healthily.






This sums up PACE!





What the Physical Activity Center of Excellence (PACE) is all about!

Dr. Phillips breaks it down!

1:20-5:36




 

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Scientific Reference

Lakshman KM, Kaplan B, Travison TG, Basaria S, Knapp PE, Singh AB, LaValley MP, Mazer NA, Bhasin S. The effects of injected testosterone dose and age on the conversion of testosterone to estradiol and dihydrotestosterone in young and older men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2010 Aug;95(8):3955-64.

DOI: 10.1210/jc.2010-0102 | PMID: 20534765 | PMCID: PMC2913038

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