Building muscle depends not only on exercise, but also on how well prepared the body is to support muscle growth.
Many people train hard and consume protein regularly, yet find that their muscles increase slowly, they tire easily, or they do not recover well. The cause may not be related to training alone, but may also involve imbalances in nutrients or hormones, or inflammation within the body.
Therefore, a Muscle Performance & Muscle Building Health Check Programme can help assess and identify factors that may be limiting muscle growth. The information obtained can then be used to develop a more appropriate and targeted approach to nutrition, exercise and overall health management.
What Does the Muscle Performance & Muscle Building Health Check Programme Assess?
1. Protein and Nutritional Status
Assessed through the following tests:
- Total Protein
- Albumin
- Globulin
- Albumin/Globulin Ratio
- Prealbumin (Transthyretin)
These tests help assess whether the body is receiving sufficient protein and whether adequate building blocks are available for muscle repair and growth.
2. Kidney Function
Assessed through the following tests:
- BUN
- Creatinine
- eGFR
These tests help assess kidney function and can be considered when determining an appropriate and safe level of protein intake.
3. Liver Function
Assessed through the following tests:
- AST
- ALT
- GGT
- ALP
- Bilirubin
The liver is an important organ involved in nutrient metabolism and protein production in the body. Assessing liver function is therefore another important part of evaluating the body’s readiness to build and recover muscle.
4. Hormones Related to Muscle Building
Assessed through the following tests:
- Total Testosterone
- Free Testosterone
- SHBG
- DHEA-S
- IGF-1
- Cortisol
These tests help assess the balance of hormones involved in building and maintaining muscle mass, energy metabolism and the body’s recovery following exercise.
5. Vitamins and Minerals Essential for Muscle Building
Assessed through the following tests:
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin B12
- Folate
- Magnesium
- Zinc
- Iron Study
These vitamins and minerals play important roles in muscle function, energy production, oxygen transport and recovery.
6. Inflammation
Assessed through:
- hs-CRP
Chronic inflammation may affect the body’s recovery processes, making muscle building more difficult and potentially slowing recovery following exercise.
7. Energy Metabolism
Assessed through the following tests:
- Fasting Blood Sugar
- HbA1c
- Fasting Insulin
- HOMA-IR
These tests help assess blood glucose regulation and insulin function, providing an indication of how effectively the body can utilise nutrients and energy. This is another factor associated with muscle building and recovery.
Who Is the Muscle Performance & Muscle Building Health Check Programme Suitable For?
- People who are starting to exercise and want to assess their body’s readiness
- People who regularly undertake weight training
- Athletes and people who exercise regularly
- Older adults who want to help prevent loss of muscle mass (Sarcopenia)
- People who regularly consume protein but experience slow muscle growth
- People who want to improve exercise performance and recovery
Summary
The aim of the Muscle Performance & Muscle Building Health Check Programme is not simply to perform blood tests and examine individual results. It is designed to assess factors that may be obstacles to building and maintaining muscle mass.
The results can be used alongside other information to help plan nutrition, exercise, stress management, sleep and lifestyle habits according to individual needs. This can support muscle building, improve exercise performance and help the body recover appropriately over the long term.
