The Effects of Muscle Mass on Longevity

The data don't suggest one needs to be a bodybuilder. But the difference between somebody in the top 25% of appendicular lean mass index versus somebody in the bottom 25% or even in the second quartile is a difference of about 20% mortality over a decade. Over a decade, starting in your mid 70s versus a 50% mortality. That might translate to a difference of 15 pounds of muscle mass.