What is a significant outcome of declining muscle mass as mentioned in studies?

The significant outcome of declining muscle mass is a decreased metabolic rate. Muscle tissue is metabolically active, meaning it requires more energy (calories) to maintain than fat tissue. As muscle mass declines, the body's overall energy expenditure decreases because there is less lean muscle to support a higher metabolic rate. This reduction in muscle mass can occur for various reasons, such as aging, inactivity, illness, or poor nutrition.

When muscle mass decreases, the body burns fewer calories at rest and during activity, which can contribute to weight gain or difficulty in maintaining a healthy weight. Furthermore, a decreased metabolic rate can lead to challenges in losing weight, as the body becomes less efficient at burning calories. Therefore, maintaining or building muscle mass is important not only for strength and functional abilities but also for sustaining a healthy metabolic rate.