Resistance Training, Protein and GLP-1s, OH MY!

Women want to know, “What is the best exercise for me now that I’m in the menopause transition?” Helping women understand that their muscles are an endocrine organ, the organ of longevity, and the ability to give them the look they want might be the key to winning their hearts to resistance training. Physical therapists are uniquely positioned to be providers for women during this stage. PTs are the original experts on muscle; it’s the foundation of our profession. As we better understand muscles, tendons, and how hormone receptor expression works in the menopause transition, we can use science to help women understand WHY they have to change their exercise habits and optimize nutrition. Key questions we must ask: How do we modify how we educate women based on the latest research? Do we truly train women different than men? How do we optimize nutrition to enhance recovery, maintain muscle mass and bone health? Do GLP-1s agonists cause muscle loss? How do we support those patients on a GLP-1 agonist?

Learning Objectives

1. Describe the physiologic effects of the menopause transition on muscle and bone and explain the rationale for modifying exercise and lifestyle recommendations during this period.
2. Apply the basic principles of resistance training and recovery to optimize exercise prescription for maintaining bone density and muscle mass in menopausal women.
3. Develop individualized home exercise strategies that incorporate resistance training and identify common implementation barriers, along with practical solutions to encourage consistent exercise.
4. Summarize the current research on exercise, GLP-1 receptor agonists, and nutrition relevant to menopause transition, and outline nutritional elements essential for preserving bone and muscle mass.

About the Speaker

Wendy Chorny, PT, DPT, MTC, CMTPT

Wendy is a doctor of physical therapy. She is a Certified Myofascial Trigger Point Therapist (CMTPT), is a board-certified and licensed athletic trainer, and has her manual therapy certification (MTC). She specializes in the treatment of pelvic pain, pre- and post-surgery, pregnancy and related pain issues, EDS and connective tissue disorders, sexual dysfunction, and orthopedics. She utilizes visceral manipulation, dry needling, manual therapy for the spine and pelvis, nutritional education, and an integrated exercise approach in her chronic pain patients. She is a practicing clinician, educator, and author and she provides classes to physicians and the general public and she assists with Orthopedic I labs and is the Orthopedic II Lab Coordinator at the University of Dayton Doctor of Physical Therapy Program. This concierge physical therapy practice allows her to serve women and men around the country and ensure they receive the care they need and deserve, in the most convenient way possible. 

Follow Wendy on Social Media: Instagram: @dr.wendychorny | TikTok: @drwendy_physicaltherapy