Background
Menopausal changes coupled with age‐related reductions in muscle strength can impact functionality.
Aim
To evaluate the differences in muscle strength, dominant leg lean mass (DLMleg), relative protein intake (r_PRO) and physical activity (PA) between premenopausal (PRE) and perimenopausal (PERI) women.
Methods
Twenty‐four PRE‐ (age = 39.8 ± 3.3 years; BMI: 25.3 ± 5.0 kg/m2) and 24 PERI‐women (age = 50.0 ± 3.3 years; BMI: 26.5 ± 5.4 kg/m2) participated in leg extensor isometric peak force (PF), DLMleg, r_PRO and PA. Independent samples t‐tests and one‐way analyses of covariance covaried for age and DLMleg were used to compare groups.
Results
The PRE group had significantly higher PF (mean difference ± standard error: 57.8 ± 28.0 N; p = 0.045) and DLMleg (0.7 ± 0.3 kg; p = 0.031) when compared to the PERI group. There were no significant differences in r_PRO, or PA between groups (p = 0.173–0.423). When covaried for age and DLMleg, there was no significant difference in PF (p = 0.982 and 0.405, respectively).
Conclusions
Age and DLMleg may be important contributors to menopause‐phase related differences in strength.