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07 Jul 2008
Slow forms of exercise are more beneficial than more rapid physical exertion for women approaching menopause, new findings suggest.
Research being presented today at the Society for Experimental Biology's Annual Meeting in Marseille found that exercise involving slower movement and less repetition rather than intense cardio-vascular activities such as running, is better for menopausal women to delay the onset of age-related muscle deterioration.
Exercise that focuses on improving flexibility and core strength, including yoga or Pilates, is particularly beneficial around the time of menopause, as these tend to decline with age.
"These findings will be used to design specific exercise programmes for everyday use to reduce the risk of injury and thus significantly contribute to a better quality of life in old age," said lead researcher Dr Alexandra Sanger from the University of Salzburg.
"We believe that the changes that this new insight can bring to current training systems will have a considerable effect on the lives of both menopausal and older women."
The study focused on groups of menopausal women aged 45-55 years. According to experts, muscle deterioration begins to become apparent in women of this age category.
Studies have shown that postmenopausal women who continue to participate in moderate exercise are less at risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures.
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