According to a study in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care, breathlessness can be due to inflammation in the body, and, in some cases, estrogen can play a role in inflammation.  As you are likely aware, estrogen levels fluctuate during a woman’s cycle and can be more dramatic as she moves through perimenopause and into menopause.

Also, on a concurrent note, a study by the journal Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, was done on regularly menstruating females to determine their CO2 sensitivity during the phases of their cycles.  It found that a woman’s sensitivity to CO2 increased during the luteal phase, or the phase leading up to her menses.  Progesterone levels rise during the luteal phase, and progesterone is a respiratory stimulant.  In other words, breath rate can change during the phases of a woman’s cycle as hormones fluctuate.  If progesterone can stimulate a faster breath cycle, this can drop the CO2 levels, and in a...

Recently, you’ve started to notice that Samantha, a client you’ve been working with since she was in her mid-thirties, is exhibiting some concerning behavior, and after knowing her for 15 years, this is uncharacteristic of her.  She comes into the session seemingly content.  Then, when you throw in a new exercise that’s an appropriate increase in challenge, she blows up and barks, “What is the purpose of this exercise?!  This is too confusing!”  

What.  Just.  Happened?  

There are a few clues that something more could be going on here.  

1. Samantha is now in her mid-forties.
2. This mood swing is unusual for Samantha.
3. She normally enjoys an [appropriate level] increase in challenge to her exercises.
4. You know these things because you’ve worked with her for many years.

What might you need to be thinking about as the Fit Pro?  

You might need to have a conversation with Samantha about...

According to a study reported in Obstetrics & Gynecology, women who had a partial hysterectomy were 2 times more likely to experience early menopause than their counterparts who did not have hysterectomies.

 Why would you, the Fit Pro, need to know whether your client had a partial hysterectomy, let alone a full hysterectomy vs. none at all? 

How does this make a difference in her exercise program? 

These bits of information are the puzzle pieces that, once put together, illustrate the full picture of a woman’s health history.  Knowing that she had a partial hysterectomy means she might experience the symptoms of menopause sooner than anticipated.  Not only will a post-surgical core influence her posture and movement, it means these hormonal changes will also influence what exercises she can tolerate, what exercises might be contraindicated, and what ones need to be modified, so she can safely, effectively, and sustainably achieve her functional...