Anabolic Hormones in Aging Women: Effects of Supplementation vs. Physical Activity

2004 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 76-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer L. Copeland

Aging is associated with a decline in bone mass, muscle mass, strength, and physical function, and women are more likely to suffer from these physical changes than men. The model presented in this paper illustrates the age related changes in anabolic hormones and how this may partly explain the diminished physical function of older women. The model can also be used to identify potential sites of intervention that could delay the atrophy of the musculoskeletal system. Various pharmacological hormone therapies have been shown to be beneficial, but there may be health risks associated with their use. There is evidence that regular physical activity is related to higher levels of anabolic hormones in older persons, therefore exercise could be an alternative to drugs for slowing the age related changes in the endocrine system. However, some research suggests that the hormone response to exercise is blunted in older women. This lower hormonal response may not be a consequence of aging per se but instead may result from secondary characteristics of aging such as a decline in physical fitness and exercise intensity or changes in body composition. Further research is needed to determine whether exercise-induced increases in endogenous hormones have clinical significance in improving muscle or bone mass in aging women. Key words: hormone replacement therapy, exercise, sex steroids, growth hormone, IGF-I

2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Cvecka ◽  
Veronika Tirpakova ◽  
Milan Sedliak ◽  
Helmut Kern ◽  
Winfried Mayr ◽  
...  

Aging is a multifactorial irreversible process associated with significant decline in muscle mass and neuromuscular functions. One of the most efficient methods to counteract age-related changes in muscle mass and function is physical exercise. An alternative effective intervention to improve muscle structure and performance is electrical stimulation. In the present work we present the positive effects of physical activity in elderly and a study where the effects of a 8-week period of functional electrical stimulation and strength training with proprioceptive stimulation in elderly are compared.


2007 ◽  
Vol 292 (1) ◽  
pp. E353-E358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcello Maggio ◽  
Fulvio Lauretani ◽  
Gian Paolo Ceda ◽  
Stefania Bandinelli ◽  
Shehzad Basaria ◽  
...  

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a strong risk factor for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Conditions associated with hyperandrogenism are often associated with glucose intolerance and other features of MetS in young women. As the prevalence of MetS increases with age and is probably multifactorial, it is reasonable to hypothesize that age-related changes in androgens and other hormones might contribute to the development of MetS in older persons. However, this hypothesis has never been tested in older women. We hypothesized that high levels of testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), and cortisol and low levels of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and IGF-I would be associated with MetS in a representative cohort of older Italian women independently of confounders (including inflammatory markers). After exclusion of participants on hormone replacement therapy and those with a history of bilateral oophorectomy, 512 women (≥65 yr) had complete data on testosterone, cortisol, DHEA-S, SHBG, fasting insulin, total and free IGF-I, IL-6, and C-reactive protein (CRP). MetS was defined according to ATP-III criteria. Insulin resistance was calculated according to HOMA. MetS was found in 145 women (28.3%). Participants with vs. those without MetS had higher age-adjusted levels of bioavailable testosterone ( P < 0.001), IL-6 ( P < 0.001), CRP ( P < 0.001), and HOMA ( P < 0.001) and lower levels of SHBG ( P < 0.001). After adjustment for potential confounders, participants with decreased SHBG had an increased risk of MetS ( P < 0.0001) vs. those with low SHBG. In a further model including all hormones and confounders, log SHBG was the only independent factor associated with MetS (OR: 0.44, 95% CI 0.21–0.91, P = 0.027). In older women, SHBG is negatively associated with MetS independently of confounders, including inflammatory markers and insulin resistance. Further studies are needed to support the notion that raising SHBG is a potential therapeutic target for prevention and treatment of MetS.


2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atsuhiro Tsubaki ◽  
Masayoshi Kubo ◽  
Ryosaku Kobayashi ◽  
Hirofumi Jigami ◽  
Hideaki E. Takahashi

2008 ◽  
Vol 22 (S1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian R Lanza ◽  
Daniel K Short ◽  
Kevin R Short ◽  
Yan W Asmann ◽  
Sreekumar Raghavakaimal ◽  
...  

Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 141 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
John Bellettiere ◽  
Andrea Z LaCroix ◽  
Chongzhi Di ◽  
Charles Eaton ◽  
Michael J Lamonte

Background: A hallmark of clinically manifest heart failure (HF) is reduced levels of exercise tolerance and physical function. It is unclear, however, whether an association exists between poor physical function and future development of HF, particularly at older ages. Methods: Women (n=5327; mean±SD age = 79±7) with no history of HF completed the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) to measure physical function. The SPPB consists of three timed tasks that assess standing balance (with 3 progressively difficult balance tests), strength (with 5 unassisted chair stands), and gait (with a 4m usual-pace walk), and is scored 0 (worst) to 12 (best). Four previously-defined categories were used: very low (SPPB 0-3; n=237); low (4-6; n=900), moderate (7-9; n=2139), and high (10-12; n=1767; referent group). Women were followed for up to 8 years for incident physician-adjudicated HF hospitalization. Cox proportional hazards regression models were adjusted for age, race-ethnicity, education, smoking, alcohol, diabetes, hypertension, COPD, osteoarthritis, depression, BMI, and accelerometer-measured moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary time. Results: The number of HF cases (crude rate/1000 person-years) across the above SPPB categories (very low to high) were 41 (33.5), 78 (15.5), 96 (7.8), and 41 (4.0). Covariate-adjusted HRs (95% CIs) were 3.39 (2.05-5.84), 2.20 (1.47-3.31), 1.74 (1.20-2.51) and 1.00 (ref), trend P<.001. After additional adjustment for MVPA and sedentary time, the fully-adjusted HRs (95% CIs) were 2.85 (1.71-4.75), 1.94 (1.29-2.93), 1.61 (1.10, 2.32) and 1.00 (ref), trend P<.001. When modeled continuously (per 3-unit decrement in SPPB score), fully-adjusted associations were consistent over stratum of age (<80: HR=1.72; ≥80: HR=1.56; interaction P=.05), race-ethnicity (white: HR=1.59; black: HR=1.59; Hispanic: HR=1.18; P=.57), and accelerometer-measured total physical activity (<5.6 hr/d: HR=1.54; ≥5.6 hr/d: HR=1.51; P=.81). Conclusions: A significant inverse association between SPPB score and HF incidence was observed in ambulatory older women, independent of age, physical activity levels, and other HF predictors. Physical function is a modifiable factor that may be important for HF prevention in later life.


2000 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Iwamoto ◽  
Tsuyoshi Takeda ◽  
Shoichi Ichimura ◽  
Yasunori Tsukimura ◽  
Yoshiaki Toyama

Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Nilsson ◽  
Diego Montiel Rojas ◽  
Fawzi Kadi

The role of dietary protein intake on muscle mass and physical function in older adults is important for the prevention of age-related physical limitations. The aim of the present study was to elucidate links between dietary protein intake and muscle mass and physical function in older women meeting current guidelines of objectively assessed physical activity. In 106 women (65 to 70 years old), protein intake was assessed using a 6-day food record and participants were classified into high and low protein intake groups using two Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) thresholds (0.8 g·kg−1 bodyweight (BW) and 1.1 g·kg−1 BW). Body composition, aerobic fitness, and quadriceps strength were determined using standardized procedures, and self-reported physical function was assessed using the SF-12 Health Survey. Physical activity was assessed by accelerometry and self-report. Women below the 0.8 g·kg−1 BW threshold had a lower muscle mass (p < 0.05) with no differences in physical function variables. When based on the higher RDA threshold (1.1 g·kg−1 BW), in addition to significant differences in muscle mass, women below the higher threshold had a significantly (p < 0.05) higher likelihood of having physical limitations. In conclusion, the present study supports the RDA threshold of 0.8 g·kg−1 BW of proteins to prevent the loss of muscle mass and emphasizes the importance of the higher RDA threshold of at least 1.1 g·kg−1 BW to infer additional benefits on constructs of physical function. Our study also supports the role of protein intake for healthy ageing, even in older adults meeting guidelines for physical activity.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 147-154
Author(s):  
Thiran D Dias ◽  
Thilina S Palihawadana ◽  
Malitha Patabendige ◽  
Mary BC Motha ◽  
Hithanadura J de Silva

Objective To describe the ultrasound parameters of pelvic organs and their age-related changes in a cohort of asymptomatic postmenopausal women and to describe the prevalence of ultrasound-detected pathologies in a Sri Lankan population. Study design A large community-based longitudinal study using a randomly selected sample of postmenopausal women who have never used hormone replacement therapy. Main outcome measures Uterine, endometrial and ovarian measurements at pelvic ultrasonography as described by the International Endometrial Tumor Analysis and the International Ovarian Tumor Analysis groups. Results A total of 815 postmenopausal women were approached and all volunteered to participate. This included women between the ages of 45 and 74 years with a median (interquartile range (IQR)) of 62.0 (10.0) years. The median (IQR) uterine volume was 18.1 (17) ml, while the median (IQR) of right and left ovarian volumes were 17.3 (22.9) ml and 18.2 (21.5) ml. Both uterine and ovarian volumes showed an age-related decline (p < 0.01). Furthermore, the ovarian volumes demonstrated an increase in size with a higher body mass index (p < 0.03 for left and p < 0.01 for right, respectively). Median (IQR) endometrial thickness among the population was 3.0 (1.0) mm and there was no age-related change observed. Sixty-one women had an ultrasound-detected gynaecological pathology with a prevalence of 7.5% (95% confidence interval (CI) 5.6–9.5). Conclusions This study aimed at describing ultrasound parameters of pelvic organs among postmenopausal women of Sri Lanka was able to provide the reference values for uterine and ovarian volume among asymptomatic postmenopausal women. Both uterine and ovarian volumes demonstrated an age-related decline, whereas the endometrial thickness does not seem to relate to the age.


BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. e034645
Author(s):  
Ming-Chun Hsueh ◽  
Ru Rutherford ◽  
Chien-Chih Chou ◽  
Jong-Hwan Park ◽  
Hyun-Tae Park ◽  
...  

ObjectivesTo objectively assess light physical activity (PA), moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), step counts and number of 10 min MVPA bouts and their association with physical function among older adults.DesignCross-sectional design.SettingUrban community setting in Taiwan.Participants127 Taiwanese older adults aged over 65 years (mean age=70.8±5.3 years; 72% women).Primary and secondary outcome measuresTriaxial accelerometers were used to measure PA variables for 10 hours/day for seven consecutive days. Then, five physical function components (handgrip strength, single-leg stance, 5-metre walk speed, timed up and go and sit-to-stand test) were measured. Multiple linear regressions were used to perform separate analyses for older men and women.ResultsFor older women, daily MVPA time (β: 0.39, 95% CI: 0.12, 0.64; p=0.004), daily step counts (β: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.12, 0.78; p=0.009) and number of 10 min MVPA bouts (β: 0.27, 95% CI: 0.001, 0.53; p=0.049) were positively associated with handgrip strength after adjusting for accelerometer wear time, sedentary time and other confounders. Furthermore, daily MVPA time was positively associated with a single-leg stance (β: 0.25, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.49; p=0.036) and higher daily step counts were associated with shorter walking speed performance (β: −0.31, 95% CI: −0.57, −0.001; p=0.049). None of the variables of the objectively assessed PA patterns was associated with physical function outcomes among older men due to their small sample size.ConclusionsDaily MVPA, MVPA bouts of at least 10 min and accumulated daily steps are important for improving physical function among older women. Future prospective research should establish causal associations between PA patterns and functional ability among older adults.


1997 ◽  
Vol 273 (2) ◽  
pp. H777-H785 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. E. Hunt ◽  
K. P. Davy ◽  
P. P. Jones ◽  
C. A. DeSouza ◽  
R. E. Van Pelt ◽  
...  

We tested the hypothesis that the age-related changes in systemic hemodynamic determinants of arterial blood pressure in healthy women are related to physical activity and hormone replacement status. We studied 66 healthy, normotensive premenopausal (21-35 yr) and postmenopausal (50-72 yr) sedentary and endurance-trained women under supine resting conditions. Mean blood pressure was 7 mmHg higher in sedentary post- compared with premenopausal women, which was associated with an 11-mmHg higher systolic blood pressure, a 25% lower stroke volume and cardiac output, and a 50% higher systemic vascular resistance (all P < 0.05). Absolute (ml) levels of total blood volume did not differ across age, but resting oxygen consumption was approximately 35% lower in the postmenopausal women (P < 0.05). The elevations in mean and systolic blood pressures with age were similar in endurance-trained runners, but, in contrast to the sedentary women, the elevations were not associated with significant age-related differences in cardiac output, stroke volume, or oxygen consumption, and only a modest (15%) increase in systemic vascular resistance (P = 0.06). Postmenopausal swimmers demonstrated the same systemic hemodynamic profile as that of postmenopausal runners, indicating a nonspecific influence of the endurance-trained state. Blood pressure and its systemic hemodynamic determinants did not differ in postmenopausal users compared with those of nonusers of hormone replacement therapy. Resting oxygen consumption was the strongest physiological correlate of cardiac output in the overall population (r = 0.65, P < 0.001). We conclude that 1) the increases in arterial blood pressure at rest with age in healthy normotensive women are not obviously related to habitual physical activity status; 2) the systemic hemodynamic determinants of the age-related elevations in blood pressure are fundamentally different in sedentary vs. active women, possibly due, in part, to an absence of decline in resting oxygen consumption in the latter; and 3) systemic hemodynamics at rest are not different in healthy normotensive postmenopausal users vs. nonusers of estrogen-based hormone replacement.


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