Massa muscular esquelética, obesidade e força de preensão entre os diferentes estágios menopausais: um estudo transversal

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate skeletal muscle mass (MME), obesity and grip strength in women in different menopausal stages. This is a cross-sectional study carried out with women over 40 years of age, in the physiotherapy department of the Urogynecology outpatient clinic of the Maternity School Assis Chateaubriand. The data were collected through a structured quiz, anthropometric evaluation, MME prediction equation and grip strength. Student's t test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were performed, assuming a significance level of 5% for all tests. We included 75 women in the study, with a mean of 55.2 (± 10.1) years. As for the menopausal stage, 15 (20%) were classified in the premenopausal period, 12 (16%) in the perimenopause and 48 (64%) in the postmenopausal period. Regarding the anthropometric variables, 28 women (37.3%) were classified as overweight and 56 (74.7%) with abdominal obesity. An average grip strength was 17.7 kgf. The lowest value of MME (p = 0.05) and lower grip strength (p = 0.004) were observed in the postmenopausal category. We concluded that there is a lower grip strength and lower MME in postmenopausal women, which has not been observed in relation to BMI and waist circumference, which present a worrying effect. Thus, it is necessary to investigate these factors in the approach of these women, as well as the planning of preventive and therapeutic strategies, specifically in this population, avoiding later complications.