Muscle Mass, Quality, and the Menopause: Sex-specific Strategies to Mitigate Sarcopenia in Ageing Populations

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM · Jan 28, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how menopause affects muscle mass and strength in women. As women age, they often experience a loss of muscle, which can lead to difficulties with everyday activities, like getting up from a chair or cooking. The goal of this study is to better understand how these changes happen during menopause and to explore ways to help women maintain their muscle health as they age. Researchers will use advanced imaging techniques to see how fat is distributed in the body and will also talk to participants about how they can incorporate strength training exercises into their daily routines.

To participate in this trial, you need to be a biological woman aged 18 to 65, have a body mass index (BMI) between 18 and 30, and not currently engage in regular strength training exercises. Participants will be asked to provide informed consent and will undergo various assessments throughout the study. It's important to note that certain health conditions may exclude you from participating, such as heart disease, certain metabolic disorders, or recent steroid treatments. This trial aims to find effective strategies to improve health and quality of life for postmenopausal women facing muscle loss.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Biological woman, 18-65 years of age
• • Body mass index (BMI) 18-30 kg/m2
• • Non smoker
• • Not performing regular resistance type exercise
• • Participant is willing and able to give informed consent for participation in the study
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • A BMI \<18 or \>39 kg·m-2
• • Active cardiovascular disease: uncontrolled hypertension (Blood pressure \> 160/100), angina, heart failure (class III/IV), arrhythmia, right to left cardiac shunt or recent cardiac event.
• • Cerebrovascular disease: previous stroke, aneurysm (large vessel or intracranial)
• • Respiratory disease including pulmonary hypertension or Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
• • Metabolic disease: hyper and hypo parathyroidism, untreated hyper and hypothyroidism, Cushing's disease, types 1 or 2 diabetes (treated and untreated), polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), inborn/ congenital errors of metabolism (e.g. Phenylketonuria (PKU), galactosaemia)
• • Active inflammatory bowel disease.
• • Acute infection.
• • Acute or chronic renal disease.
• • Malignancy (or history of malignancy with 5 y).
• • Recent (within 6 mo) or current steroid treatment, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), hormonal contraception, or other hormonal therapies that may interfere with outcome measures.
• • Coagulopathy.
• • Musculoskeletal or neurological disorders.
• • Having taken part in a research study in the last 3 months involving invasive procedures or an inconvenience allowance.
• • Amenorrhoea for a reason other than menopause.
• • Contraindications for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
• • Allergy or sensitivity to local anaesthesia, or dressing adhesive.
• • Inner ear pathology or vertigo