In the research, researchers wished to see what performed an even bigger position in arterial stiffness (an indicator of coronary heart well being) for girls: cardiorespiratory (coronary heart and lung) health or physique composition.
The research analyzed 146 ladies between the ages of 16 and 58. Participants’ cardiorespiratory health was measured utilizing an train check and researchers additionally collected their physique fats share, fat-free mass index (a measure of fat-free tissue—like bone, muscle, and fluid), and imply arterial strain (i.e., blood strain within the arteries).
Next, these findings have been analyzed alongside the members’ arterial stiffness to see what associations (if any) stood out.
The two greatest elements related to arterial stiffness have been fat-free mass index and imply arterial strain. Specifically, a better fat-free mass and a decrease imply arterial strain have been each linked to decrease arterial stiffness.
This held agency within the research no matter physique fats share, however older age was linked to arterial stiffness. That means the quantity of fat-free mass (like muscle) you carry might play an even bigger position in coronary heart well being than physique fats or whole physique weight, however age performs an element as properly (one thing to bear in mind, as ladies are inclined to lose muscle mass as they age).
Building muscle via focused way of life modifications—e.g., weight coaching and consuming extra protein—is a dependable method to improve your fat-free mass.
However, it’s essential to keep in mind that this research was observational, so we are able to’t know for certain that enhancing muscle mass will at all times lead to higher coronary heart well being.