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I don´t think the article is proposing "the more, the better". Rather, it is emphasizing that muscle mass is much more that pure force production or aesthetics

by fasteo 12y ago

I don´t think the article is proposing "the more, the better". Rather, it is emphasizing that muscle mass is much more that pure force production or aesthetics in that it plays a key role in maintaining a healthy metabolism. Replying to your question: if you compare two identical women differing only in their percentage of muscle mass, yes, one is healthier than the other. As for the body builders; this is a tricky question, but I don´t think they are healthier than the general population...muscle mass being completely irrelevant.

ajcarpy2005 12y ago
Some bodybuilders over-train, which can stress critical organ systems such as kidneys. EDIT: Rest/Recovery is necessary. Specifically, it's important not to increase the amount of metabolic requirements you stress yourself with too rapidly before the body has time to adapt. The body can adapt to stress and become stronger (hormesis) but it takes time, rest, and nutrition.
sillysaurus3 12y ago
if you compare two identical women differing only in their percentage of muscle mass, yes, one is healthier than the other. Depends what you mean by "healthy." Plenty of overweight people live long lives. I don't think anyone would disagree that muscles are desirable and that exercise helps, or that being overweight is a bad thing. But there's quite a lot of disagreement about the severity of the problem. If you look around, there are many old and overweight people. They got to that point without having the kind of muscle mass you're talking about. A more persuasive approach is probably to focus on the benefits, rather than the implied downside of not having "health." For example, I had no idea that exercise would have such a profound effect on my brain. My mind is sharper when I exercise compared to when I don't. At least, it was true for me. Could be placebo effect, but, then again, the placebo effect is measurable, so sometimes it helps.
- cma 12y ago
  He meant statistically, he didn't mean that a pairwise comparison of all females would provide no counterexamples.
  - sillysaurus3 12y ago
    I'm talking about the definition of "health." "Health" isn't a precise term.

by fasteo 12y ago

ajcarpy2005 12y ago

Some bodybuilders over-train, which can stress critical organ systems such as kidneys. EDIT: Rest/Recovery is necessary. Specifically, it's important not to increase the amount of metabolic requirements you stress yourself with too rapidly before the body has time to adapt. The body can adapt to stress and become stronger (hormesis) but it takes time, rest, and nutrition.

sillysaurus3 12y ago

if you compare two identical women differing only in their percentage of muscle mass, yes, one is healthier than the other. Depends what you mean by "healthy." Plenty of overweight people live long lives. I don't think anyone would disagree that muscles are desirable and that exercise helps, or that being overweight is a bad thing. But there's quite a lot of disagreement about the severity of the problem. If you look around, there are many old and overweight people. They got to that point without having the kind of muscle mass you're talking about. A more persuasive approach is probably to focus on the benefits, rather than the implied downside of not having "health." For example, I had no idea that exercise would have such a profound effect on my brain. My mind is sharper when I exercise compared to when I don't. At least, it was true for me. Could be placebo effect, but, then again, the placebo effect is measurable, so sometimes it helps.

cma 12y ago
He meant statistically, he didn't mean that a pairwise comparison of all females would provide no counterexamples.
- sillysaurus3 12y ago
  I'm talking about the definition of "health." "Health" isn't a precise term.