Within the examine, researchers needed to see what performed a much bigger function in arterial stiffness (an indicator of coronary heart well being) for girls: cardiorespiratory (coronary heart and lung) health or physique composition.
The examine analyzed 146 girls between the ages of 16 and 58. Contributors’ cardiorespiratory health was measured utilizing an train take a look at and researchers additionally collected their physique fats proportion, 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).
Subsequent, these findings have been analyzed alongside the contributors’ arterial stiffness to see what associations (if any) stood out.
The 2 greatest components related to arterial stiffness have been fat-free mass index and imply arterial strain. Particularly, a better fat-free mass and a decrease imply arterial strain have been each linked to decrease arterial stiffness.
This held agency within the examine no matter physique fats proportion, however older age was linked to arterial stiffness. Which means the quantity of fat-free mass (like muscle) you carry could play a much bigger function in coronary heart well being than physique fats or complete physique weight, however age performs an element as properly (one thing to remember, as girls are likely to lose muscle mass as they age).
Constructing muscle by way of focused way of life modifications—e.g., weight coaching and consuming extra protein—is a dependable technique to improve your fat-free mass.
Nonetheless, it’s vital to do not forget that this examine was observational, so we will’t know for positive that bettering muscle mass will at all times end in higher coronary heart well being.