Empowher: Enhancing Muscle in Perimenopausal Women With High-intensity Exercise and Resistance
Year: 2026
Type: dissertation
Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial
Abstract: This study evaluated the effects of high intensity resistance training (HIRT) on whole-body lean soft tissue (LST), muscle characteristics, and cardiometabolic health in perimenopause. Thirty-two perimenopausal women were randomized to 6-weeks of HIRT (TRAIN) or normal activity (CON). LST was evaluated via dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, and muscle size [muscle cross-sectional area (mCSA); muscle area (MA)] and quality [echo intensity (EI); Fat + Muscle Density (FMD)] with ultrasound and peripheral quantitative computed tomography. Metabolism was measured via indirect calorimetry and cardiometabolic health with blood serum. Analyses of covariance, adjusted for hormones and baseline values, resulted in significant improvements (p<0.05) in mCSA (MD±SE: 1.902±0.920 cm2), MA (413.044±197.813 mm2), and FMD (2.254±0.915 mg/cm3) in TRAIN, compared to CON and meaningful differences in LST (0.89 kg, p=0.090). HIRT is a powerful tool to improve muscle characteristics in perimenopausal women, with no significant metabolic effects.
DOI: 10.17615/72zf-n048
Author: DelBiondo, Gabrielle Marie
Institution: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Language: English
Topic: Physical Activity and Health
Subfield: Physiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7162750193
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