Ace the NCLEX Geriatric Exam 2026 – Unleash Your Inner Caregiving Hero!

Regular exercise, especially resistance training, slows aging-related muscle loss (sarcopenia) by boosting muscle protein synthesis, preserving fiber size and neural activation, and maintaining strength and function. While adequate protein supports repair, simply increasing protein and fat intake without a stimulus to build muscle does not reliably increase muscle mass. The amount of muscle lost with aging varies and isn’t a fixed 40% decline for everyone, so the idea that little can be done is not accurate. With consistent activity and proper nutrition, the rate of muscle loss can be reduced, making exercise the most effective way to preserve muscle as we age.