A Novel Low-Impact Resistance Exercise Program Increases Strength and Balance in Females Irrespective of Menopause Status.

Introduction: The reduction in sex hormone production across the menopause transition is thought to accelerate age-related decline in muscle mass, strength, and stability, increasing the risk of falls and fractures. We aimed to investigate whether a novel low-impact resistance exercise program could improve strength, balance, and body composition and whether any improvement was affected by menopause status.

Methods: Seventy healthy, moderately active pre- (PRE; 46.7 ± (SD) 3.2 years), peri- (PERI; 52.3 ± 2.2 years) or post- (POST; 57.0 ± 2.5 years) menopausal females, not taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT), were randomised to continue habitual physical activity (CON; n = 25) or complete a supervised resistance exercise program 4 days/week for 12 weeks (EXC; n = 45). Strength at the hip and shoulder (isokinetic dynamometer), dynamic balance (Y-balance), flexibility (sit-and-reach & back-scratch), muscle thickness (rectus femoris, vastus intermedius (VI) and medial deltoid), and lean and %body fat (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) were measured before and after training. Results: Hip abduction and flexion peak torque (19 ± 48 and 20 ± 17%, respectively, P < 0.05), posterolateral and posteromedial balance (12 ± 15 and 13 ± 15%, respectively, P < 0.001), flexibility (21 ± 36%, P < 0.001), VI thickness (12 ± 19%, P = 0.032), lean mass (2 ± 2%, P = 0.007), all increased over 12 weeks in EXC, but not CON, with no difference in response between PRE, PERI or POST. The changes in shoulder strength and body mass over 12 weeks were not different between CON and EXC.

Conclusions: This is the first study to demonstrate that the decline in sex hormones, and increase in age, across the menopause transition does not affect the ability of lower limb (hip) strength and balance to adapt to a low-impact resistance exercise training program in females not taking HRT.