Get a grip!

Are you experiencing a bit of weakness holding a tennis racket or picking up your keys? Might be menopause. Dr. Lianne Kurina at the University of Chicago and Dr. Martha Gulati at Rush Medical Center analyzed longitudinal data from the Chicago site of the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN), a study of the menopausal transition. They looked at 238 African American women and 325 Caucasian women between the ages of 42 and 52 years of age from 1996 to 2001. Both grip and pinch strength decreased as women transitioned through menopause. They theorize that because estrogen affects muscles and nerves, it is possible that declining estrogen before and after menopause may play a role. "A subset of women going through menopause may experience greater losses of strength and so their upper extremity strength might be impacted more, say Dr. Kurina and Dr. Gulati. CONSIDER THIS: They suggest that lifting weights, playing the piano, sewing, squeezing a tennis ball, doing push-ups, swimming, and working out on a cross-trainer machine are the kinds of activities that would help maintain hand strength. "Our recommendation to all women, based on the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada and The American Heart Association, is that every woman participate in moderately intense activity that she enjoys for 30 minutes every day at a comfortable pace. Over time, you can build up to that level." Check with your physician first.