# Bed Rest Hits Muscle and Bone Together, and Combined Fixes May Help Older Adults

_Evidence Level: Preliminary · Reyes JM et al., Experimental physiology, DOI 10.1113/EP093790_

*Musculoskeletal decay and bone-muscle crosstalk during physical disuse: Mechanisms and integrated countermeasures.*

- **Evidence Level**: Preliminary
- **Why this grade**: Narrative review of human bed rest and disuse studies, without a systematic search method or pooled effect sizes.
- **Facts**: Design: Review
- **Publication Types**: Journal Article, Review
- **Journal**: Experimental physiology
- **Sample Size**: N/A
- **Authors**: Reyes JM, Hajj-Boutros G, Rouabhia D, Morais J, Salech F, Duque G
- **Graded and published**: 2026-09-28
- **Last edited**: 2026-09-30
- **Topics**: sarcopenia, bone health, creatine
- **DOI**: https://doi.org/10.1113/EP093790
- **Free full text**: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13618863/
- **Original Source**: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42804367/

## Summary

A hospital stay in bed can speed up muscle and bone loss in older adults, and the two tissues seem to fall apart together. This review of human bed rest studies found that inactivity scrambles the chemical signals muscle, bone and fat use to talk to each other. The best-supported response combined strength exercise with enough protein, plus supplements like creatine, vitamin D and HMB. For anyone with an aging parent heading into hospital, this frames recovery as protecting muscle and bone as one unit. It is a narrative review, and the authors note frailty, other illnesses and safety limit how these plans can be used.

## Practical Takeaway

This review suggests pairing resistance exercise with nutrition may help limit muscle and bone loss during bed rest.

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_Canonical: https://longevity-germany.com/en/research/bed-rest-hits-muscle-and-bone-together-and-combined-fixes-may-help-older-adults · Part of Longevity Cities · Updated 2026-09-30_