This is the type of literature that will be of great interest in the interim period, and it’s good news :).
Markers of muscle size and strength can be preserved in as little as 1/9th the work of a growth phase. For some, even 1/3 the work after a growth phase continues growth. The key is sustainability.
Our findings and those of others strongly support resistance training (RT) as a primary intervention strategy to reduce the deleterious effects of sarcopenia. We have demonstrated sustainability for up to 8 months with our 1-d·wk−1 maintenance dosing in young adults. Enhanced muscle performance was also sustained among the old; yet they seem to require more frequent dosing to maintain the muscle mass gains realized from RT.BICKEL CS, CROSS JM, BAMMAN MM. Exercise Dosing to Retain Resistance Training Adaptations in Young and Older Adults. Med Sci Sport Exerc [Internet]. 2011 Jul [cited 2020 Mar 19];43(7):1177–87. Available from: http://journals.lww.com/00005768-201107000-00007
Reference
BICKEL CS, CROSS JM, BAMMAN MM. Exercise Dosing to Retain Resistance Training Adaptations in Young and Older Adults. Med Sci Sport Exerc [Internet]. 2011 Jul [cited 2020 Mar 19];43(7):1177–87. Available from: http://journals.lww.com/00005768-201107000-00007