Mixed

Two weeks of combined energy restriction and severe step reduction (<750 steps/day) causes a significant reduction in whole-muscle isometric strength (MVC) in healthy older adults, but this loss is not explained by changes in single muscle fiber contractile function, which instead shows increased power and tension.

If you are an older adult and must reduce your activity due to illness or injury, expect your maximum strength to drop slightly after two weeks. However, do not panic: your muscle fibers may actually become more efficient (producing more power/tension) to compensate. Most importantly, if you maintain high protein intake, your strength is likely to recover once you resume normal activity, especially for men. Women may take longer to recover strength, so a gradual return to activity is advised.