The effects of hormone deficiency at the menopause on muscle strength was examined in 10 healthy middle-aged women (1-3 years post-menopause) in a longitudinal trial over 39 weeks. Performance was compared with that of age-matched females (n = 11) taking a course of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Muscle strength of the quadriceps was measured isometrically at 90° of knee flexion and at angular velocities of 1.05, 2.09 and 3.13 rad/s using an isokinetic dynamometer. Hand grip strength was assessed by means of a portable dynamometer. Measurements were taken every 13 weeks for 39 weeks. Significant decreases in isometric strength (-10%) and dynamic leg strength at 1.05 rad/s (-9%) were found in the post-menopausal women over 39 weeks. There was no change in strength in the HRT group. There were also no changes in leg strength at higher angular velocities or in grip strength for either the post-menopausal group or those taking HRT. While HRT preserved muscle strength, there was no evidence of a strengthening effect on skeletal muscle within this short period of treatment. A rapid loss of leg strength occurs post-menopausally in hormone-depleted women. HRT may offer protection against muscle weakness, although the hormone responsible for regulating strength is not evident using this model.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
Research Article|
June 01 1999
Changes in muscle strength in women following the menopause: a longitudinal assessment of the efficacy of hormone replacement therapy
Julie P. GREEVES;
*Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Henry Cotton Campus, 15-21 Webster Street, Liverpool L3 2ET, U.K.
Correspondence: Dr Julie Greeves.
Search for other works by this author on:
Nigel T. CABLE;
Nigel T. CABLE
*Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Henry Cotton Campus, 15-21 Webster Street, Liverpool L3 2ET, U.K.
Search for other works by this author on:
Thomas REILLY;
Thomas REILLY
*Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Henry Cotton Campus, 15-21 Webster Street, Liverpool L3 2ET, U.K.
Search for other works by this author on:
Charles KINGSLAND
Charles KINGSLAND
†Reproductive Medicine Unit, Liverpool Women's Hospital, Liverpool L8 7SS, U.K.
Search for other works by this author on:
Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Online ISSN: 1470-8736
Print ISSN: 0143-5221
The Biochemical Society and the Medical Research Society © 1999
1999
Clin Sci (Lond) (1999) 97 (1): 79–84.
Citation
Julie P. GREEVES, Nigel T. CABLE, Thomas REILLY, Charles KINGSLAND; Changes in muscle strength in women following the menopause: a longitudinal assessment of the efficacy of hormone replacement therapy. Clin Sci (Lond) 1 July 1999; 97 (1): 79–84. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/cs0970079
Download citation file:
Sign in
Don't already have an account? Register
Sign in to your personal account
You could not be signed in. Please check your email address / username and password and try again.
Could not validate captcha. Please try again.
Biochemical Society Member Sign in
Sign InSign in via your Institution
Sign in via your InstitutionGet Access To This Article
Cited By
Open Access for all
We offer compliant routes for all authors from 2025. With library support, there will be no author nor reader charges in 5 journals. Check here |
![]() |