Muscle matters: Dr Brendan Egan at TEDxUCD

Dr Brendan Egan is a University College Dublin (UCD) lecturer in sport and exercise science in the UCD School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Population Science, whose TEDxUCD 2014 talk is entitled 'Muscle Matters'.

On the sporting front, Brendan has represented Co. Sligo in Gaelic football at Senior inter-county level since 2003.

In his TEDxUCD 2014 talk Brendan explains the importance of maintaining muscle mass as we age.

Modern science has led to automation which means that we are predisposed to being physically inactive and in his talk Brendan outlines the risks to our health of this development. Furthermore, better medicines are leading to greater longevity and as the global population is getting older, the long term impact on health care provision is a huge challenge to be addressed.

Brendan in his talk focuses on Sarcopenia, a disease involving age related wasting of muscle, and talks about the connections with other diseases, including cancer and diabetes, and he encourages us to change our lifestyles now in order to keep our muscles strong as we age.

Dr Brendan Egan is a lecturer in sport and exercise science in the UCD School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Population Science covering modules in sports nutrition, exercise prescription and molecular exercise physiology.

His current research interests concern the nutritional enhancement of sports performance and the molecular regulation of skeletal muscle function and adaptation in exercise, health and disease.

Brendan graduated with a BSc in Sport and Exercise Science from the University of Limerick in 2003, before graduating from Loughborough University with distinction from the MSc in Sport and Exercise Nutrition programme.

He returned to Ireland in late 2004 to commence doctoral studies under the supervision of Dr Donal O'Gorman at Dublin City University. The focus of this research was on skeletal muscle adaptation to exercise and in particular the continuity between acute molecular responses to individual bouts of exercise and the adaptations in skeletal muscle induced by exercise training.

He was awarded his PhD in 2008, before moving on to the prestigious Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. There he completed his post-doctoral training in Professor Juleen Zierath's Integrative Physiology group at the Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery. Here his research, using animal and in-vitro cell systems, focused on the transcriptional regulation of skeletal muscle insulin resistance in Type 2 diabetes by small, non-coding RNAs.

He joined the faculty at UCD in 2011.

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[whitewolf]

I am 66. I go to the gym 6 days a week, and have a job that requires me to lift heavy things. I love it!!! I am actually gaining muscle, continually raising what I lift. Headed to gym in a bit.

[mparchangel]

Basically, you're not weak and hurting because your old. You're weak and hurting because you stopped moving.

[velmarbyrd]

At 76 I’ve been weightlifting for 11 years. Regularly! I work- love it! I bike and swim. I weightlift 2 or 3 times a week. I’m a pain- free and medication- free aging woman! Lifting is where it’s at! Lift!!!

[nathanamos]

There's another good video where patients started resistance training while they started chemotherapy. The survival rate increased by 50%.

[chookvalve]

I’ve heard doctors say this for over 20 years - Orthopaedic surgeons specifically back, then as loading yourself with weights reduces dramatically the loss of bone. Obviously muscle is retained in the process. This talk is very important for people to see as the message is not getting through to the lazy ones. Use it or lose it.

[Babyfacedblackjesus]

many of us think about exercise in terms of looking buff but we should look at it as a way of getting healthier, stronger and living longer

[PottleWealth]

I spent 52 days in the ICU in 2021 before and after my liver transplant. Started physical therapy about 40 days in. Lost so much muscle and was so tight that I could not sit up in bed. Could wrap my hand around my bicep and touch my thumb and index finger together. When they finally got me to try to stand up, I had help from a special machine and two people. Screamed in pain. Spent 3 weeks post ICU in physical therapy hospital. I have gone to the gym at least 3 times a week for 20 months and am doing great. Regained 35 pounds. Do 15-20 exercises (weightlifting only) each time. Muscle is health.

[ChrisB-fgfd]

This is one of the most important talks I have seen

[matthunt]

“Strong people are harder to kill than weak people...and more useful in by Coach Mark Rippetoe

[maverickjackman]

Perfect Presentation- It naturally comes across as obvious. Simple facts/graphs and explanations. Point made; just like animals or cars, if you sit you rust, batteries drain and you seize up or... you use what you have wisely and stay moving, alive and healthier than you probably thought you could. Thank you Dr. Egan for this refreshing talk and simple message. This really helps support my beliefs and what I prescribe as a Coach!

[robertkusick]

Dr. Brendan Egan, I played you Muscle matters video on my Android phone. Thank you for letting us know that we can recover a substantial amount of our muscle loss into our old age. About 1/3 to 1/2 was not lous enough to understand what you were saying. Peace, love and wisdom to you and yours.

[Abhinand-]

I don't know about y'all but this is the most important TED talk video for me

[laniehew]

Here is my revised formula:

lose muscle mass (sarcopenia) = lose strength + power + balance + coordination + reflex = disease related

[cinnsuamongar]

Great presentation. I like the use of actual data to support your points.

[halcyon_echo]

I have been bedridden before & the muscle loss is staggering. It took inches off my thighs and took years to get it back.

[nickashton]

I decided some years ago to take lean muscle mass with me into old age, happy to see confirmation

[daniellekirk]

What a fantastic presentation, so engaging and the way he can just reel off all that information without hesitation, wow

[dandelions]

Ive bene on lockdown for 3 months and have noticed my body decline. Time to fight to get my strength back!

[harrycullen]

67 yrs.Had a heart attack and frozen shoulder.Lost 3 months and 15 plus kilos.
Ater the stent op i rested up.
Started with small walks and gentle exercises at the physio.
After a while my physio started me at the gym with very light weights.
I go 3 times a week and getting into it.Getting stronger and walking one hour plus.
Sometimes it hurts but you keep on.
Shoulders not frozen now but range of movement increasing week by week.
Hoping toget ack to work sooner than later.

[franksam]

Nutrition importance needs to also be understood that other factors such as needed minerals / enzymes are extremely important! Beca use its about absorbing & breaking down what we eat to get optimum effects. Something that's underrated. Sleep loss as well will cause lean muscle weight loss.