Exercise Benefits Women During and After Menopause
Menopause brings with it a wide range of changes to a woman's body. One of the most effective ways for menopausal and post-menopausal women to manage these changes is by following a program of regular exercise.
Women typically reach menopause in their early 50s. Fluctuations in hormonal levels and cycles can make this a time of profound emotional and physical changes.
Shan James, exercise physiologist and fitness manager at the Duke Center for Living, says exercise helps menopausal and post-menopausal women in several ways.
"Hormone change affects not only moods and emotions, but it also affects the way our body works. The endorphins that are released in exercise can actually help with a lot of these mood swings that people experience."
James says a program should include weight-bearing and resistance exercise to help prevent osteoporosis, plus cardiovascular exercise to combat weight gain.
"As our metabolism slows down, we gain weight more quickly. So you absolutely have to add in cardiovascular exercise, at that time, getting the heart rate up for 30 to 60 minutes, to be able to counteract that weight gain."
And remember: your fitness program is more likely to be successful if it's combined with an appropriate diet and nutrition plan.
I'm Cabell Smith for MedMinute.
