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 In particular, poor handgrip strength and needing a long time to
stand from a chair were associated with higher depression or anxiety
symptoms, the study authors reported in the journal Menopause.
"Mid-life women globally are in an incredibly difficult position:
sandwiched between children, aging parents, husband and work
commitments," said senior study author Eu-Leong Yong of the National
University of Singapore.
"They sacrifice themselves in face of all these demands, and
sometimes neglect their own needs," he told Reuters Health by email.
"Anxiety and depression may go unrecognized."
Yong and colleagues studied more than 1,100 women, ages 45-69, who
had routine gynecology appointments at the National University
Hospital in Singapore. During the appointments, the researchers
measured upper body physical performance as reflected by handgrip
strength, which requires the women to squeeze a hand-held
dynamometer as hard as they could. The researchers measured lower
body physical performance through gait speed, standing balance, and
a repeated chair stand test, which records the time it takes to
stand up from a seated position five times without using the arms.
The research team used internationally-accepted questionnaires to
assess whether and how often women experienced symptoms associated
with anxiety and depression during the past week, including sadness,
uncontrollable worrying, loss of interest, fatigue, sleep problems
and poor appetite.
Overall, 180 women, or about 16%, had depressive or anxiety
symptoms. Women ages 45 to 54 were more likely to report symptoms.
Symptoms were not linked with menopause status, sociodemographic
characteristics or lifestyle variables such as smoking or alcohol
consumption.
Physical characteristics and physical performance did make a
difference, however. Women with depressive and anxiety symptoms were
more often classified as having moderate-to-low physical
performance. Weak handgrip strength was associated with a 68 percent
increased likelihood of having elevated symptoms. Taking longer on
the sit-to-stand test was associated with 33 percent increased odds
of symptoms.
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"Our study shows an interesting correlation between the mind and
body, indicating that physical strength is closely associated with
mental health," Yong said.
Future studies should determine whether strengthening exercises that
improve physical performance could help reduce depression and
anxiety symptoms, he added.
"While a causal association between depression and physical strength
cannot be determined from this correlational study, there is strong
evidence from clinical trials showing the benefits of exercise,
particularly aerobic exercise, on mood in women," said Pauline Maki
of the University of Illinois at Chicago. Maki, who wasn't involved
with this study, directs the Women's Mental Health Research program
and has researched psychological well-being in mid-life women.
Maki pointed out that rates of depression and anxiety tend to be
lower in Singaporean women than in Western women. "Still," she told
Reuters Health by email, "the study is an important reminder that in
addition to hot flashes, mood symptoms during the menopausal
transition are very common. Clinical guidelines recommend
psychotherapies, anti-depressant treatment and physical exercise for
mood symptoms."
Despite busy lives, mid-life women should prioritize muscle
strengthening and resistance exercises, the study authors wrote.
"Exercise is fun and cost free. It lightens your mood," Yong said.
"Make time for it, and make it part of the family routine."
SOURCE: http://bit.ly/2XjSmWR Menopause, online June 3, 2019.
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