An age-related decline in muscle performance is a known risk factor for falling, fracture and disability. In women, a clear deterioration is observed from early menopause. The effect of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in preserving muscle performance is, however, unclear. This trial examined the effects of a 12-month HRT and high-impact physical exercise regimen on skeletal muscle in women in early menopause. A total of 80 women aged 50–57 years were assigned randomly to one of four groups: exercise (Ex), HRT, exercise+HRT (ExHRT) and control (Co). The exercise groups participated in a high-impact training programme. The administration of HRT (oestradiol/noretisterone acetate) or placebo was carried out double-blind. Knee extension torque and vertical jumping height were evaluated. Lean tissue cross-sectional area (LCSA) and the relative proportion of fat within the muscle compartment were measured for the quadriceps and lower leg muscles. The ExHRT group showed significant increases in knee extension torque (8.3%) and vertical jumping height (17.2%) when compared with the Co group (-7.2%). Vertical jumping height also increased after HRT alone (6.8%). The LCSA of the quadriceps was increased significantly in the HRT (6.3%) and ExHRT (7.1%) groups when compared with the Ex (2.2%) and Co (0.7%) groups. Lower leg LCSA was also increased in the ExHRT group (9.1%) when compared with the Ex (3.0%) and Co (4.1%) groups. In addition, the increase in the relative proportion of fat in the quadriceps in the Co group (16.6%) was significant compared with those in the HRT (4.9%) and ExHRT (-0.6%) groups. Thus, in post-menopausal women, muscle performance, muscle mass and muscle composition are improved by HRT. The beneficial effects of HRT combined with high-impact physical training may exceed those of HRT alone.
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Research Article|
June 20 2001
Effects of hormone replacement therapy and high-impact physical exercise on skeletal muscle in post-menopausal women: a randomized placebo-controlled study
Sarianna SIPILÄ;
*Department of Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Box 35 (LL), FIN-40351 Jyväskylä, Finland
Correspondence: Dr Sarianna Sipilä; (e-mail [email protected]).
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Dennis R. TAAFFE;
Dennis R. TAAFFE
*Department of Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Box 35 (LL), FIN-40351 Jyväskylä, Finland
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Sulin CHENG;
Sulin CHENG
*Department of Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Box 35 (LL), FIN-40351 Jyväskylä, Finland
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Jukka PUOLAKKA;
Jukka PUOLAKKA
†Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Central Hospital, FIN-40620 Jyväskylä, Finland
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Jarmo TOIVANEN;
Jarmo TOIVANEN
‡Department of Radiology, Central Hospital, FIN-40620 Jyväskylä, Finland
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Harri SUOMINEN
Harri SUOMINEN
*Department of Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Box 35 (LL), FIN-40351 Jyväskylä, Finland
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Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
October 04 2000
Revision Received:
January 26 2001
Accepted:
March 29 2001
Online ISSN: 1470-8736
Print ISSN: 0143-5221
The Biochemical Society and the Medical Research Society © 2001
2001
Clin Sci (Lond) (2001) 101 (2): 147–157.
Article history
Received:
October 04 2000
Revision Received:
January 26 2001
Accepted:
March 29 2001
Citation
Sarianna SIPILÄ, Dennis R. TAAFFE, Sulin CHENG, Jukka PUOLAKKA, Jarmo TOIVANEN, Harri SUOMINEN; Effects of hormone replacement therapy and high-impact physical exercise on skeletal muscle in post-menopausal women: a randomized placebo-controlled study. Clin Sci (Lond) 1 August 2001; 101 (2): 147–157. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/cs1010147
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