From 1 to 7 June, a host of events were organised across France during Muscle Week to raise awareness of the importance of muscle for our health. This 2nd edition of the event received special recognition, as it was designated the Grande Cause Nationale 2024, dedicated to physical activity and sport (“Move 30 minutes a day”).
Here’s a look back at some of the highlights of this intensive week.
Open House at the Institute of Myology
On Saturday 1 June, the Institut de Myologie welcomed over 200 visitors. They were able to attend a “Muscle Sport-Health” round table organised in collaboration with the Fédération Française d’Education Physique et de Gymnastique Volontaire (FFEPGV). Researchers from the Institute of Myology were on hand to talk about muscle, our ally in good health, and share scientific information linked to their research work.
Visitors were also able to take part in interactive workshops using microscopes to observe muscle biopsies, as well as test their strength using MyoTools, strength measurement tools designed and developed at the Institute of Myology. Finally, tours of our laboratories were offered to discover the Neuromuscular physiology and evaluation laboratory, the NMR imaging laboratory and the Center in Research in Myology.
Among the personalities present were Vincent Roger, ministerial delegate in charge of the Grande Cause Nationale 2024, dedicated to promoting physical activity and sport in France, and Pierre Rabadan, former rugby player and deputy mayor of Paris in charge of sport and the Olympic and Paralympic Games, who showed their support for Semaine du Muscle by paying us a visit.
Awareness-raising and challenges at Roland Garros
Our experts were on hand at the French Tennis Federation’s Tennis Santé stand at Roland Garros to raise awareness among young and old alike of the importance of muscle through a variety of activities: discovery of the Amazing Secrets of Muscle, a quiz to test your knowledge, and strength tests using MyoTools. One challenge in particular captivated visitors: “Beat the MyoGrip record”, a strength test held by a famous tennis player for almost 20 years.
Muscular break at the National Assembly
The Institute’s experts were also on hand on 4 June to run a workshop at the French National Assembly, raising MPs’ awareness of the importance of muscle as a public health issue. Catherine Vautrin, Minister for Labour, Health and Solidarity, and Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, Minister for Sport and the Olympic and Paralympic Games, were able to test their strength using the MyoGrip.
Bodybuilding-Health” conference
On 6 June, the Institut hosted the national Musculation Health conference, organised by the French Weightlifting and Bodybuilding Federation (FFHM), which brought together experts from a variety of backgrounds, including a physiotherapist and researcher from the Institut, for two round tables: “The role of bodybuilding in prevention” and “Bodybuilding and disability”. Around fifty people attended these round tables and were even able to test their strength after the conference using our MyoGrip and MyoPinch assessment tools.
Other actions were carried out in parallel throughout the week with a number of partners across the country: physiotherapist schools, Domitys senior residence, Pau Hospital, primary schools, a number of AFM partner companies (United Heroes, La Poste group, Optic 2000, Carrefour, Synerciel, Basic Fit, Elanova, etc.) and local authorities.
See you next year for a new edition!
For more information, visit lemuscle.fr
