Why Strength Training Is So Important for You

Skeletal Muscle is the largest organ in the body. Exercise involving muscle contraction is a powerful therapy against the progression of cardiovascular disease, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, psychiatric disorders and pulmonary disease. When it is contracted it stimulates the release of specific proteins with autecrine, paracrine, or endocrine function. These proteins called Myokines have a huge impact on the body and metabolic function.

Myokines control adaptive processes in skeletal muscle. They are involved in metabolic function, weight regulation, inflammation reduction, insulin sensitivity, suppression of tumor growth, blood flow, improvement of cognitive function, bone formation and chronic illness prevention.

Myokines also act like hormones signaling pathways involved in oxidation and metabolism. They are directly involved in protection against several chronic illnesses including depression.

When Skeletal Muscle Contracts it produces a powerful effect on the body. Research has shown it to:

-reduce visceral fat

-prevent chronic disease

-reduce diabetes

-promote vascular health

-improve aging skin

-bone formation

-hormonen regulation

-improve cognitive and mental health function

(Pederson and Saltine, 2015)