Older Women Find it Harder to Keep in Shape
Researchers from the University of Nottingham and the Washington School of Medicine are of the opinion that older women aren’t able to utilize proteins well to maintain muscles. About 29 men and women aged between 65-80 years were examined. In addition, women above 65 years were made to go on a strict diet that included proteins (meat and eggs) and engage in resistance exercises.
Results of the study showed that their male counterparts were able to store more proteins in their muscles and women did not build muscles. The researchers maintained that the inability of women to store proteins in the form of muscles could have come about due to hormonal changes with the onset of menopause.
Researchers opine that “oestrogens”, a group of steroid compounds which play a major role as the female sex hormone, declines with age. Oestrogens, also known as estrogens, are responsible for maintaining the density and thickness of the bones. Researchers believe that oestrogens can also help in preserving muscles which is disabled in the case of women because of the decline in oestrogens.
Young boys and girls did not show any difference in the muscle build-up. The research thereby revealed that metabolic changes occurred with the onset of menopause. However, the researchers also suggest that women begin gaining more fat earlier than men, that is, in their middle-ages.
Studies also reveal that people lose about 0.4% of their muscle mass every year after attaining the age of 50 and beyond. This leaves older people and especially older women more at a risk of developing fatal illnesses. Degenerating bones and muscles also contribute to reduced strength and make older people more immobile.
Older women find it harder to keep in shape because they suffer from more severe degenerating factors that occur during menopause like – declining oestrogens that cause bone decay and ineffective utilization of proteins to build muscles. Michael Rennie, a professor from the University of Nottingham says that older women should therefore focus on eating more proteins.