Female Muscle Enhancement

Inclusion criteria

• Females aged 40-60 years of age at time of screening.
• Body mass index <30kg/m2 and >18.5kg/m2
• Considered moderately active according to the 7 day International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) (Craig et al., 2003)
• Self-reported as healthy (absence of injury or disease).
• Availability and willingness to attended 12 weeks of exercises classes 4-5 times per week at St Luke's Campus Exeter and participate in the study lasting a total of 26 weeks.

Exclusion criteria

• Pregnant, lactating or planning a pregnancy.
• Current diagnosis of a chronic disease such as diabetes, autoimmune disease, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease.
• Hysterectomy and/or ovariectomy.
• Currently prescribed hormone replacement therapy.
• Hypertension (BP ≥149/90 mm/Hg)
• Either current smoker, or history of smoking in the past 6 months.
• Currently taking supplements that have been shown to impact muscle function and muscle mass, such as creatine, in the last 6 months.
• Prescribed medications that have been shown to impact muscle function and muscle mass, such as steroids, in the last 6 months.
• History of epilepsy.
• Current or recent injury within the last 6 months that may affect their ability to carry out the resistance training program.
• Advised not to exercise by their General Practitioner or medical professional.
• Resistance training consistently for 3 or more times per week for the last 2 months