A recent Deakin University study of females aged 18-80 found a ‘window of opportunity’ between 40 and 55 to build up the muscle mass and function needed to extend their healthspan and quality of life.
The study by the university’s School of Exercise and Nutrition Science showed that muscle mass and function reduces more rapidly beyond the onset of menopausal transition (40-47 years).
The sharp drop off is linked to the decline in the sex hormones oestrogen and progesterone during menopause, making it much more difficult to rebuild muscle once it’s lost.
Deakin University molecular biologist Professor Severine Lamon told the ABC the study looked exclusively at the process of skeletal muscle ageing in 100 females aged 18 to 80.
‘We mapped the trajectory of how their muscle ages at the functional level, the molecular level and the cellular level across the lifespan,’ she said.
‘What we saw is a rather linear decline up to the age of 40, 42, 45. And then we really have this massive drop in many markers of muscle mass and function that coincides with the onset of menopause.’
Dr Lamon said the key for females to maintain a high quality of life as they age is to retain as much muscle mass and function as possible.
‘There is a window of opportunity for females between the ages of 40 to 55, where it’s really the last opportunity to build up muscle mass and function.’
‘It becomes much harder to build up or to maintain your muscle mass once you pass this stage of menopause.’
Dr Lamon said that resistance training is the preferred form of exercise to build muscle mass.
‘The very best thing someone can do, whether they’ve exercised earlier in life or not, is to pick up exercise around the age of 40,’ she said.
‘Any exercise they can add to their routine at that point in time is going to be a good thing, and where it’s possible, doing resistance exercise is the very best thing to maintain muscle mass and function.’
New Stronger for Life Membership at getback South Melbourne
Developed predominantly for people aged over 40, getback’s new Stronger for Life Membership program focuses on improving strength, movement and balance around the spine and major joints such as the knee, hip and shoulder.
Every new member undergoes a thorough assessment with a Physiotherapist before starting an exercise therapy program. The assessment allows your therapist to design a program that focuses on improving your strength and mobility where it’s most needed.
getback™ programs start gradually with appropriate loading based on your assessment results. Every session is supervised by a Physiotherapist or Exercise Physiologist, with a maximum of four patients in a group appointment. All programs are designed with a minimum of two exercise therapy sessions per week.
From rehab to resilience
Most importantly – if you have any current injuries or pain, our existing Physiotherapy, Osteopathy and Back Pain services will help you transition from rehabilitation to exercise therapy for long-term resilience.
Membership Inclusions
- Initial Consultation with a Physiotherapist to understand your history and healthspan goals.
- Strength and Mobility Assessment – precise measurement of the strength and mobility of key muscle groups using the getback devices.
- 5 x 1:1 Training sessions with a Physiotherapist or Exercise Physiologist to demonstrate exercise device usage and correct techniques.
- Unlimited weekly Training sessions
- Additional Assessments by request
Investment
Weekly direct debit of $55. All getback programs are eligible to be claimed under your specific Health Benefits Schedules.
