To investigate the associations of estrogen, androgen, and sex hormone–binding globulin (SHBG) concentrations with performance-based physical function tests among middle-aged Australian women, specifically focusing on handgrip strength, chair rise, and standing balance.
Key Findings:
A negative association was found between estrone (E1) concentrations and chair rise performance, indicating lower performance with higher E1 levels.
Higher concentrations of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and SHBG were associated with better standing balance performance, suggesting a protective effect.
No other significant associations were observed in fully adjusted models, indicating limited impact of other hormones.
Interpretation:
The study suggests that sex hormones, particularly E1, DHT, and SHBG, are related to physical performance in midlife women, with other factors like age and body size also influencing these associations, highlighting the complexity of hormonal impacts.
Limitations:
The study is cross-sectional, limiting causal inferences.
Sample size may not represent all midlife women.
Conclusion:
Sex steroids appear to influence physical performance in midlife women, highlighting the need for further research on hormonal impacts during the menopause transition.
The use of hormone replacement therapy for women has become a controversial topic since the publication of the Women’s Health Initiative study more than 20 years ago
