Strength Training for Menopause

Overseen By Neah P Gothe

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Female

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Northeastern University

Disqualifiers: Pregnancy, High activity, Arthritis, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether heavy resistance training can serve as a fun and effective exercise option for women undergoing menopause. Researchers aim to determine if this exercise can improve strength, muscle tone, and mental sharpness, while also enhancing mood and reducing fatigue. The trial seeks women experiencing menopause symptoms who do not exercise frequently and have not regularly engaged in heavy resistance training or yoga. Participants should be able to walk unaided and plan to remain in the Boston area during the study. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity for participants to explore a potentially enjoyable exercise routine that could enhance well-being during menopause.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that heavy resistance training is safe for middle-aged women undergoing menopause?

Research has shown that heavy resistance training is generally safe for middle-aged women, including those going through menopause. Studies have found that this type of exercise can boost muscle strength and improve body shape. For example, one study found it helps postmenopausal women build muscle and prevent muscle loss. Another study noted a 19% improvement in hip function for those doing resistance training. Regular resistance training has also been linked to better health outcomes specific to menopause.

While these results are encouraging, it's important to remember that everyone is different. Some people might experience muscle soreness or tiredness, which is common with any new exercise routine. Overall, many women find heavy resistance training manageable and beneficial during menopause. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about heavy resistance training for menopause because it offers a non-pharmaceutical approach to managing symptoms like bone density loss and muscle weakness. Unlike hormone replacement therapy or calcium and vitamin D supplements, this method focuses on building physical strength and resilience directly through exercise. Heavy resistance training has the potential to enhance overall health by improving muscle mass and bone strength, which are critical factors during menopause. Additionally, this approach empowers individuals to take an active role in their health management, potentially offering benefits beyond traditional treatments.

What evidence suggests that heavy resistance training could be effective for menopause?

Research has shown that heavy resistance training, which participants in this trial will undergo, can combat the loss of muscle and strength often experienced during menopause. Studies have found that this exercise type can enhance body shape and reduce fat, which is crucial for women in middle age. For post-menopausal women, resistance training is linked to stronger muscles and improved physical function; one study noted a 19% improvement in hip function. Additionally, this training can increase bone strength, helping to prevent fractures. Overall, heavy resistance training appears promising for improving physical health during menopause. ^{1 3 5 6 7}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for middle-aged women experiencing menopause who are interested in exploring the effects of heavy resistance training on their strength, muscle composition, and cognitive function. Participants should be willing to engage in this type of physical activity and report on fatigue, cognition, self-efficacy, and mood.

Inclusion Criteria

No regular (>1x per week) participation in heavy resistance training or yoga exercise within the past 6 months

Intention to remain in the Boston area for the duration of the study

Physician's consent to participate in strength testing and the exercise program (if deemed necessary)

Exclusion Criteria

I have issues with my vision or hearing.

I am not willing to complete the required study assessments.

Pregnant or planning to become pregnant

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Exercise Intervention

Participants undergo heavy resistance training to assess feasibility, acceptability, and changes in strength, muscle composition, and cognitive function

16 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after the exercise intervention

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Heavy resistance training
• Yoga

Trial Overview The study compares heavy resistance training with yoga to see which is more enjoyable, acceptable, feasible for participants during menopause. It also looks at how these activities affect muscle strength, body composition and mental functions like memory or attention.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Second wave of participants (n=30) Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

This arm is the second round of participants (n=30) who will receive the same intervention as the first wave.

Group II: First wave of participants (n=30) Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

This arm is the first round of the exercise intervention, conducted with half (n=30) the anticipated number of participants.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Northeastern University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

103

Recruited

72,600+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10559623/

Resistance training alters body composition in middle ... Resistance training (RT) is effective in counteracting the age- and menopause-related loss of muscle mass (MM) and strength in middle-aged ...

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095254623000972

Effect of resistance training volume on body adiposity ... Resistance training improves body adiposity, metabolic risk, and inflammation in postmenopausal and older females. •. High-volume resistance training elicits ...

3. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT01987778

Health Effects of Resistance Training on Postmenopausal ... Muscle strength will be evaluated in the intervention group with 8 repetition maximum (8 RM) tests for the major muscles in the extremities. Baseline to 15 ...

4. news.exeter.ac.uk news.exeter.ac.uk/faculty-of-health-and-life-sciences/first-of-its-kind-study-shows-resistance-training-can-improve-physical-function-during-menopause/

First-of-its-kind study shows resistance training can ... First-of-its-kind study shows resistance training can improve physical function during menopause · 19-percent increase in hip function and lower ...

5. josr-online.biomedcentral.com josr-online.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13018-025-05890-1

Optimal resistance training parameters for improving bone ... In this study, resistance training effectively improved the bone density at the FN, TH, and LS in postmenopausal women, with significant ...

6. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1279770724004366

Analysis of combinatory effects of free weight resistance ... The results indicate that RT enhances body composition and strength capacity in postmenopausal women and is a preventive strategy against muscle atrophy.

7. tandfonline.com tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13697137.2021.1941849

Full article: Effects of resistance training on quality of life in ... Conclusion. In postmenopausal women with moderate to severe VMS, resistance training three times per week for 15 weeks improved menopause-specific HRQoL.