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Olympian backs menopause strength drive
5 Oct
Summary
- Sally Gunnell promotes weightlifting for women approaching menopause.
- New research links menopause to faster muscle loss in women.
- 90 minutes of weekly weight training reduces early death risk.
Olympic gold medalist Sally Gunnell is championing a charity initiative to encourage women to embrace weightlifting, particularly during the menopausal transition. This campaign aligns with Menopause Awareness Month, highlighting new research from the British Heart Foundation (BHF).
The BHF's 31-day Strong Woman Challenge, supported by Gunnell, aims to educate women about the increased risk of muscle loss during perimenopause and menopause. Gunnell stresses the long-term benefits of maintaining muscle and bone strength for sustained independence and quality of life.
Research published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine indicates that dedicating 90 minutes to two hours weekly to weight training can substantially lower the risk of premature death. The BHF challenge proposes a daily exercise routine throughout October to help women build strength, addressing common concerns about becoming "bulky" or not knowing where to begin.
