Revealed: what Australians aged 50+ really know about muscle health
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It’s one of the most underrated aspects of health. Most people don’t think about it—until it starts to decline. We’re talking about muscle health. But muscle health isn’t just about size. It impacts movement, balance, metabolism, and overall longevity. As they say, knowledge is power. So, we asked a key question: How much do older Australians really know about muscle health? We surveyed 1,261 people aged 50+ to find out. And the results were eye-opening. Australia’s First National Muscle Health SurveyMuscle health matters. But we don’t know much about what older Australians understand about muscle health. Or what stops them from taking action to improve it. We set out to change that by conducting the first nationwide muscle health survey. We promoted the survey via social media ads (on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn) and emails to people in our research database who had consented to future studies. As an incentive, participants received a free muscle health assessment using the SARC-F tool (you can do yours here). We also gave them a free brochure on why muscle health matters and how to manage it (after completing the survey). A total of 1,261 Australians aged 50 to 94 participated in the study. Here’s a snapshot of the cohort: So, what did we learn? Here are four of the biggest takeaways (and why they matter): Takeaway #1: Most Know Muscle Health Matters—But Knowledge Is LimitedLack of knowledge can prevent action. So, how well did older Australians understand muscle health? About one-third (32%) were familiar with sarcopenia—the age-related loss of muscle mass and/or function. This awareness was higher than studies in The Netherlands (3-17%) but within the range seen in other countries (5-50%). Encouragingly, 90% recognised muscle health as very important, with the top reasons being:
They also showed awareness of key signs of poor muscle health. Strength loss (45%) was the most recognised—probably because of its noticeable impact on daily tasks like opening jars, standing up, and climbing stairs. But there were clear knowledge gaps too. The average knowledge score was just 47.3%, in part due to several misconceptions:
Many also mistakenly linked muscle health with unrelated issues like stiffness, cramps, and persistent pain. The bottom line? While older Australians value muscle health, there is a need for better education—particularly on when muscle decline begins, its long-term risks, and how to prevent it. Takeaway #2: Very Few Discuss Muscle Health With Their DoctorOlder Australians agree muscle health is important. But there was a big problem: Only 8.9% had ever discussed muscle health or sarcopenia risk with a doctor or healthcare professional. Despite over 58% being ‘very/extremely willing’ to seek professional support to improve their muscle health. This is not surprising as studies show only 7-26% of clinicians screen for sarcopenia—often due to poor awareness. So why is this a problem? The unfortunate reality is many will only act when advised by their GP. It’s therefore crucial to upskill healthcare professionals on the importance of muscle health. Physically active doctors are more likely to recommend exercise—yet many GPs are sedentary themselves.
And people are more likely to follow health advice if their health professional practices what they preach. Getting doctors to talk (and walk) muscle health could spark more patients to act. Takeaway #3: Most Would Take Action If Told They Were at RiskWhat would push older Australians to take action? Often it’s a health scare—or simply knowing they’re at risk. Our survey found 82% to 95% of respondents would take action if informed they were at risk for sarcopenia—whether by seeking more information, adopting lifestyle changes, or using apps and tools. Yet despite this willingness to act, over 57% rated their muscle mass as ‘poor to average,’ and 38% said the same about their strength. This suggests a gap between awareness and action. But here's the good news: Most (83% to 99%) correctly identified resistance training and a high-protein diet as key to improving muscle health. Some clear misconceptions were evident though. Only 5% to 12% correctly identified ineffective strategies to improve muscle mass or function, like general physical activity, aerobic exercise, and eating more fruit and vegetables. It’s clear many still believe any exercise or diet change helps muscle health. But not all exercise or diet changes boost muscle health in the same way. Takeaway #4: Motivation Is The Biggest Barrier To ActionMost older Australians have a decent understanding of muscle health. So what stops them from improving it? Our survey revealed: Motivation was the top barrier to exercise (21%) and nutrition (18%) strategies. Other barriers were minimal—70-90% reported ‘not at all/a little’ for most obstacles (including time, knowledge and cost). No single major barrier emerged from our survey that could be universally targeted to improve adherence. The upside? Most (74%) had started an intervention to improve muscle health in the last five years. It’s clear most older Australians want to improve their muscle health. Whether they’re taking the right actions is another question. This reinforces the need for personalised strategies—aligned with individual needs and preferences—to improve muscle health. Where To From Here?Our nationwide muscle health survey delivered a clear message: Older Australians care about muscle health and want to take action. The challenge? Many lack the knowledge and confidence to make effective changes. But awareness alone isn’t enough—it’s action that matters. So here’s the takeaway: Improving muscle health starts with small, simple steps. Take a muscle health assessment, talk to your doctor, or begin a resistance training program. Because every small step adds up—to better strength, better mobility, and a longer, healthier life. As always, thanks for being here. Until next week, Jackson If you've got a moment, I'd love to hear your thoughts on this edition of The Weekly Exerciser. Send me a quick message or email - I'll reply to every one! PS: Did someone forward you this email? You can sign up to The Weekly Exerciser here. IMPORTANT:The information contained herein is of general nature only and does not constitute personal advice. You should not act on any information without considering your personal needs, circumstances, and objectives. Any exercise program may result in injury. We recommend you obtain advice specific to your circumstances from an appropriate health professional before starting any exercise program. |
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