Evaluation of muscle strength and endurance in postmenopausal women: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: There are some evidences which show that postmenopausal women have lower levels of muscle strength and physical function than premenopausal women. Although this has been consistently shown, it is unclear whether the associations found are independent of changes in performance or associated with general aging. Studies have been done to evaluate hand grip and pinch strength in postmenopausal women but there still remain controversies if the strength is spared. As there is dearth of literature about strength evaluation in upper limb, lower limb, and trunk and evaluation of cardiovascular endurance in postmenopausal women. The present study is undertaken to evaluate muscle strength and endurance in postmenopausal women. Objective: To evaluate muscle strength and cardiovascular endurance in postmenopausal women. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 65 postmenopausal females were included. Weight, height, BMI, and waist–hip ratio were measured in the study. Muscle strength was evaluated in a group of quadriceps, hamstrings, gluteal, calf, back, and abdominal muscles using a pressure biofeedback unit. Handgrip strength was measured using handheld dynamometer. Cardiovascular endurance was evaluated using 6-minute walk test and step test. Results: Muscle strength in upper limb and lower limb muscles was decreased when compared to normative values. With Karl Pearson’s correlation test, there is a strong correlation between BMI and lower limb muscle strength in gluteal muscles (p-value = 0.001), in hamstring muscles (p-value <0.05) and in handgrip strength (p-value <0.05) with 64.06% having weak grip strength. Good cardiovascular endurance was seen in most of the women and there was no significant correlation between age and endurance level. Conclusion: Postmenopausal women have decreased upper limb and lower limb strength with good cardiovascular endurance. Handgrip strength, gluteal, and hamstring muscle strength were positively correlated with BMI and most of the women presented with central obesity.