Associação entre níveis de estradiol e desempenho muscular em mulheres idosas com sarcopenia: revisão sistemática

Abstract

Female aging represents a major public health challenge, particularly due to increased life expectancy and the prolonged exposure of women to physiological changes associated with menopause. During this period, the decline in estradiol levels promotes systemic alterations that directly affect the musculoskeletal system, influencing muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance. These changes may contribute to the development of sarcopenia, a condition associated with reduced autonomy and impaired quality of life in older women. In this context, the present study aimed to analyze the association between serum estradiol levels and neuromuscular performance parameters in postmenopausal women with sarcopenia, considering the methods used for hormonal and functional assessment. This study consisted of a systematic literature review conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. The search was carried out in the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and PEDro databases, including observational studies and clinical trials published between 2020 and 2025 in Portuguese, English, and Spanish. At the end of the selection process, nine studies were included in the analysis. The findings demonstrated that reduced estradiol levels were predominantly associated with decreased muscle mass, reduced muscle strength, and poorer physical performance. However, substantial methodological heterogeneity was observed among the studies, particularly regarding hormonal assay methods, diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia, and neuromuscular assessment instruments. It is concluded that evidence supports an association between reduced estradiol levels and neuromuscular decline in postmenopausal women, although the lack of methodological standardization limits the robustness of the available conclusions.