What is it about?
Yes, menopause related to a decline in hand grip strength and strength of low extremities. Effect of menopause on walking speed and walking distance is weaker, or the effect may take longer years to occur. However, being physically active during the menopausal transition can give more capacity to withstand the potential negative influence of menopause on muscle performance and mobility.
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Why is it important?
In our everyday activities, such as standing from a chair, climbing stairs or walking, muscle performance is an essential factor. With ageing, muscle performance declines and thus maintenance of everyday functional capacity and quality of life may be compromised. Good functional capacity enables active participation in many social activities. When you finally have time and aptitude, I think it is very crucial to have enough strength to play with your kids, put a bag on a top shelf in a plane when you travel to a ski resort, or to hike in Alps or even do more crazy stuff you never dared when you had a job and other life obligations.
Perspectives
I was surprised when I saw the results. Literally. Menopause is a very interesting phenomenon. From aging perspective it is clearly a programmed event. But there are also several distinguishing features. First, age expectancy increased dramatically, but age at menopause increased only slightly. Second, there is a huge variation at the age when a person dies, but there is a considerably low variation at the age when menopause occurs. I am not sure what does it mean, but found it very strange. My surprise with the study results is that menopause has an "acute" effect on muscle strength. Which could signify a muscle strength decline in women. Previously, I thought that it could not be as "acute" or needs more time to compromise muscle function. It is never too late for exercise, but I also think that exercise program should begin as early as possible and be as regular as possible. One don't need to wait menopause to benefit from exercise at this important life point, but instead be prepared and have a higher physical capacity. Easy to say than to do, right? Motivation to exercise is crucial throughout the whole life span and particularly during menopause. Stay tuned!! As out next study, soon be published, shows how menopause may affect psychological characteristics and a very interesting patterns in longitudinal design ! This time I was surprised even more!
Dima Bond
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Physical performance in relation to menopause status and physical activity, Menopause, December 2018, Wolters Kluwer Health,
DOI: 10.1097/gme.0000000000001137.
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