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But exercise increases your muscle mass, which raises your basal metabolism, doesn't it? How big is that effect? Seems like it should be quite big, but I have
by MrPatan 4y ago
But exercise increases your muscle mass, which raises your basal metabolism, doesn't it? How big is that effect? Seems like it should be quite big, but I have no data and seldom see it discussed, as if it didn't matter at all.
But then why do we lose muscle mass if we don't exercise? Seems like it would be a huge maladaptation if muscles were "cheap".
- BlargMcLarg 4y agoMusculature alone doesn't increase basal metabolism by a lot. At least not the muscles gained from typical light exercise stuff. It's a combination of maintaining them and exercise that gets you maybe an extra 300-500 a day average. Muscle mass also isn't lost as quickly as people claim. It varies based on person and diet. You lose some, but many can get back to their former peak in a few weeks if it has been a year or so. Even fairly muscular individuals.