Grant: Project Grant

During menopause, females can lose up to 10% of their bone mass, leading to an increased risk of fractures. About half of females over age 50 years will suffer a fragility fracture. Most females do not meet osteoporosis management criteria until it is too late, after significant bone loss has already occurred. Osteoporosis studies have historically excluded females in the first five years after menopause, so there is a lack of evidence-based strategies to prevent bone loss during the menopausal transition. Exercise, especially heavy strength training, may help reduce bone loss during menopause. However, current general exercise recommendations focus on moderate-intensity strength training, which may not be intense enough to prevent bone loss. Heavy strength has shown promise in older females (around 65 years old), but it has not been studied in younger females going through menopause. This study will test whether heavy strength training can help prevent bone loss in females during the menopausal transition and will compare a heavy to a moderate-intensity program and a control group. The study will last nine months and include supervised exercise sessions twice a week, focusing on muscle strength and balance. The research will measure bone density, bone strength, bone microarchitecture, hormone levels, muscle strength, body composition, menopause symptoms and quality of life. This study will provide valuable information on how to prevent bone loss in an understudied population at high risk of osteoporosis.