Ep 164: Menopause in Motion - There is More to Menopause & Movement Than You Think

In this episode, biomechanist Katy Bowman and biologist Jeannette Loram talk about menopause and movement. They discuss menopause as a natural developmental phase that humans share with only a few other highly social marine mammals. They explain the evolution of menopause in relation to the role of grandmothers within human—and whale—societies and also explore the movement diet of postmenopausal women within hunter-gatherer tribes. Katy and Jeannette discuss health concerns that arise around menopause: bone osteoporosis, muscle loss and cardiovascular issues and how movement is key to maintaining those tissues. They speak to the loud media noise around ‘heavy lifting’ and High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) as the ways to stay strong. They explain that we absolutely require muscle strengthening and bone loading activity as well as some intense heart and lung movement. However, the way we get those movements could be, but does not have to be, in a gym. They share ideas on how to get the movement our bodies need, in ways that we enjoy and work for us as individuals. Finally, don't miss the end! Katy remembers to talk more about the benefits of menopause, particularly in relation to remodeling of the brain.