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Show: June 21, 2009:
- Tamoxifen and Antidepressants
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- Flu/Job Security
- Birth Control Pills and Muscle loss
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- Brain Rules - Chronotypes
- Positive thinking in tough times
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Birth Control Pills and Muscle loss
Host: Barbara Lewis
Interview: Steven Riechman
assistant professor of health and kinesiology
Texas A&M
Young women who take birth control pills have a harder time building muscle mass, according to a recent study.
Steven Riechman, Ph.D. is assistant professor in health and kinesiology at Texas A&M. Hes a senior investigator on the study.
The researchers tested 73 women ages 18 31. 34 took an oral contraceptive (OC) and 39 did not. Both groups did 10 weeks of resistance training to build muscle. OC users gained about 40% less muscle mass compared to non-OC users.
OC with higher amounts of the hormone androgen had the most effect on muscle mass.
The study is important because many women athletes take birth control pills to control menstrual cycles. So athletes who want to succeed at the highest levels should know that OC can lower their muscle mass.
Additional Resources:
- Learn more about oral contraceptives and women's muscle gain
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