Arnold Schwarzenegger hasn’t turned away from fitness despite retiring from the sport many moons ago. In a recent Arnold’s Pump Club Newsletter, Schwarzenegger examines studies suggesting that a notable reduction in sleep could lead to the loss of lean muscle instead of fat.
We all know who he is. He won the Mr. Olympia seven times and trailblazed into Hollywood as one of the highest-grossing actors to ever walk the planet. After saying hasta la vista to the stage, he remains committed to informing the public on all things health, and that includes sleep and its effects on muscle-building efforts.
Arnold Schwarzenegger Reveals Why Sleep Reduction Causes Muscle Loss
According to ‘The Austrian Oak,’ sleep deprivation could be the silent killer of muscle tissue.
“The Silent Killer of Muscle”
Get Fitter, FasterLevel Up Your Fitness: Join our 💪 strong community in Fitness Volt Newsletter. Get daily inspiration, expert-backed workouts, nutrition tips, the latest in strength sports, and the support you need to reach your goals. Subscribe for free!
“Diet and exercise get all the attention, but if you’re not recovering correctly, your results might not match your effort.
Research suggests that sleep reduction causes muscle loss.”
In the first study examined, Schwarzenegger explains that the group who had their sleep restricted by one hour per night ‘mostly lost muscle’ not fat.
“In the study, all participants followed a fat-loss diet, but one group also restricted their sleep by one hour per night during the week. Everyone lost a similar amount of weight, but those in the sleep reduction group held onto more fat and mostly lost muscle.”
The study concluded that those who saw a reduction in sleep and couldn’t catch up lost muscle instead of fat.
“The study participants were allowed to catch up on sleep as much as they wanted on the weekends, but those who didn’t sleep enough still lost muscle instead of fat.”
Citing a different study, Schwarzenegger pointed to participants who slept 5.5 hours per night compared to those who slept 8.5 hours a night. The results were eye-opening as those who lost sleep saw a nearly 80 percent weight loss from lean muscle mass.
“This isn’t the first time sleep deprivation has been tied to muscle loss. In a different study, participants who slept 5.5 hours per night (compared to 8.5 hours) saw that nearly 80 percent of their weight loss was from lean muscle (instead of fat).”
“While some muscle loss is expected during a diet, you can help preserve your hard-earned muscle by training hard, eating enough protein, and getting enough sleep.”
And Arnold Schwarzenegger isn’t the only bodybuilding expert educating the public on sleep and its relationship with muscles. Fellow Mr. Olympia titleholder Jay Cutler has also examined the subject closely and concurs with Schwarzenegger’s latest findings.
“I don’t feel like society sleeps enough,” Jay Cutler shares. Sleep is super crucial to keeping your body lean and active.”
Another expert on sleep hygiene and nutrition, Stan Efferding, has opened up on how the practice is crucial for those aiming to achieve weight loss.
“Sleep does affect insulin levels as well. We also find that people who don’t get sufficient sleep when they start losing weight, they might lose a disproportionate amount of muscle as opposed to fat.”
Combating fat loss is on the Governator’s to-do list, and he has remained vocal about how prioritizing sleep can help shed weight. He has Arnie-approved tips too, especially for those who struggle with sleep deprivation. Schwarzenegger revealed that although creatine is revered for its muscle-building qualities, it can also serve as a brain booster for those who are particularly droopy-eyed.
Given the critical role sleep plays in our daily lives from performance to cognition, Schwarzenegger doesn’t underestimate it or its ability to burn fat or muscle. He also points out that you can preserve your muscles by ‘training hard’ and ‘eating enough protein.’
RELATED: Arnold Schwarzenegger Undergoes Another Heart Surgery, Receives Pacemaker
You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and
YouTube for even more content.
