accelerates. Loss of muscle mass and strength is a natural phenomenon, and once muscle is lost, it cannot be regained. According to Brown, women can increase their muscle mass through resistance exercise, which will help maintain independence for a longer period of time. If women are sedentary, they will lose muscle mass and strength faster than normal. Results from the study suggest that sedentary living combined with bouts of bed rest may put estrogen deficient women at a very high risk for losing independence.