pilates

PILATES

Our muscles are our suit of armour, helping to feed and protect the rest of our body. This can be critical during times of ill health and immobility.

In addition, bone mineral declines by up to 30% by the 4th year of menopause. Which can lead to Osteopenia or Osteoporosis. It’s not a condition we ever ‘feel’ until the bone mineral has thinned to a degree that fractures present – This we certainly feel and can be life changing.

Our muscles aid bone mineral by tugging on the bones to help stimulate growth and maintenance. During the menopause phase, studies show that there is a drop of 30-60% of muscle satellite cells. This leads to damaged muscles being unable to repair and the likeliness of  condition called ‘Sarcopenia’, whereby muscle wastage occurs. This can have a significant impact on quality of life and longevity.

Strength training and resistance training can help to prevent and reverse sarcopenia by increasing muscle mass and strength. In addition, strength training has been shown to have numerous health benefits for menopausal women in the same way as cardio exercises has for the Cardiovascular system.