More on Muscle as an Indicator

So far I have discussed how muscle mass can function as a positive indicator, as a sign of a successful "hunting record".  But what about the reverse, when a hunter is not successful?

The lack of sufficient calories over time causes a loss of body weight and also a decrease in resting metabolic rate.  The decrease in metabolic rate is a defense mechanism, designed to prevent starvation.

If a person diets, or diets and performs only aerobic exercise, they will lose muscle mass as well as fat mass.  Yet even some "successful hunting" during a lean period can help retain muscle mass.

This study talks about resistance training and protein intake being the keys for the maintenance of lean mass during dieting.  This makes much more sense if you look at the issue from an evolutionary standpoint.

You can think of this as a continuum based on hunting success.  On one end of the spectrum, you have a person who is unsuccessful in hunting.  They are not locating any game; hence, they are not using their muscles in the capture of game, and of course not ingesting any game.  They are most likely performing only aerobic activity and subsisting off plant food.  They will lose fat mass as well as muscle, and their metabolic rate will slow.

In the middle, you have a hunter who is moderately successful in acquiring game, but still does not capture enough to maintain body weight.  This hunter engages in some successful hunting (resistance activity and ingestion of protein and fat), yet not enough total calories are consumed.  This person will lose fat mass but may be able to protect their muscle mass.  However, their metabolism might slow as well.

On the other end, you have a hunter who is very successful in acquiring game.  He is busy utilizing his muscles to capture game and ingesting a good amount of protein and fat.  His body responds by building muscle mass, which advertises to others his successful track record.