First-of-its-Kind Study from University of Exeter and Pvolve Researches Impact of Exercise on Women Pre and Post Menopause

Initial Findings of Study Show Pvolve's Functional Fitness Method Measurably Improves Strength, Balance, and Flexibility in Women 40+

Pvolve, the omnichannel fitness company with an innovative, science-led method that pairs functional movement with proprietary resistance equipment, today announced the initial findings of a clinical study to investigate and compare Pvolve’s low-impact, resistance-based workouts against standard fitness routines in women 40+. The Healthy Aging Study, conducted by Professor Francis Stephens’ research group at the University of Exeter, a leading university in research of sports medicine and sports science, aimed to address the gap in women’s health research by comparing the Pvolve Method to standard exercise and its impact on women in the 40-60 age demographic.

While women make up a large portion of the $100 billion global fitness market, they have historically been underrepresented in consumer research. A recent study looking at the sex data gap in clinical research found that in medical studies published between 2014 and 2022, women made up only 34% of participants, and when it came to sports science, only 6% of studies have focused on women¹. In its Healthy Aging Study, Pvolve specifically addressed the physiological changes in aging women and the need to provide them with tailored exercise programs. The limited fitness options for women 40+ represent both a missed commercial opportunity, given their substantial spending power and the enduring desire to stay fit and healthy as they age, and a societal issue as the population of older adults is projected to outnumber that of children under ten by 2030².

Beginning in their late 30s, women experience a 3-8% decline in lean muscle mass per decade, and yet most workouts are not designed to address these rapid changes in their bodies. Culture has historically emphasized high-impact routines and cardio-based workouts. However, an effective exercise routine for women over 40 should include a combination of strength training with heavy weights to boost metabolism, short cardio circuits for brain, heart, and bone health, and resistance-based training that focuses on balance, mobility, coordination, and stability to mitigate common age-related changes such as loss of strength and risk of falls. When engaged in a workout like Pvolve’s functional approach, the University of Exeter observed that women can experience many benefits.

Initial findings from the Healthy Aging Study’s 12-week clinical trial showcase the effectiveness of the Pvolve Method for improving muscle function, strength, body composition, and quality of life in women 40-60 throughout various phases of menopause. Among its impressive outcomes, the women in the study reported experiencing a 19% increase in hip and lower body strength and a 21% increase in full-body flexibility after adopting consistent exercise routines through Pvolve’s method.

The research also indicates that Pvolve’s low-impact, resistance-based method may influence other parts of whole body health, including lower blood lipids, improved lean muscle without increasing total body mass, improved hip function and lower body strength, and balance, mobility, and stability. These early but groundbreaking findings are increasingly important for women as they age because they can help offset the natural age-related physiological changes women experience, such as loss of lean muscle mass.

Summary of results:

Researchers found participants³ who consistently engaged in the Pvolve Method compared to a standard exercise routine⁴ noticed:

Improvements in:

• Hip function and lower body strength (+19%)⁵
• Full-body flexibility (+21%)⁶
• Balance, mobility, and stability (+10%)⁷
• Overall quality of life (+7.2%) and lower fatigue (+23%)⁸

Positive health results:

• Increase in lean muscle without increasing total body mass⁹
• Lower blood lipids¹⁰

The Healthy Aging study was conducted by the University of Exeter, which recruited 72 women aged 40-60 years old. Test subjects followed either Pvolve’s program or standard physical activity guidelines of 150 minutes of exercise per week. Participants were monitored through 12 weeks and assessed by objective measures for strength, muscle function, balance, mobility, flexibility, body composition, and blood health markers. Subjects were also assessed by validated subjective measures for quality of life and enjoyment of exercise.

For more details about the study, please visit: http://www.pvolve.com/method

Dr. Nima Alamdari, Pvolve Clinical Advisory Board Member, Harvard-trained Physiologist, and Honorary Professor of Sport and Health Sciences at the University of Exeter, shared: “Age-related loss of muscle mass and strength is particularly important to counteract by women over forty because muscle mass and strength of women in their thirties already trends lower.” Adding, “The Healthy Aging Study is a first-of-its-kind, underscoring the efficacy of lower impact, functional fitness on women’s health outcomes, not only protecting and improving physical strength but enhancing women’s quality of life and wellbeing.”

World-renowned actress, producer, and director Jennifer Aniston, who officially partnered with Pvolve in June 2023 after falling in love with the method as a member, shared: "The Pvolve Method has been transformational for me, so I’m excited about this research that shows how Pvolve can help women improve their physical strength and overall well-being at any age.”

As women age and go through various phases of menopause and other hormonal changes, they can experience a slowing metabolism, Sarcopenia, and the natural decline of strength. It can be frustrating when trying to counterbalance things like weight gain or muscle loss, with a workout routine that is not producing expected results or is counter-productive,” said Antonietta Vicario, Chief Training Officer at Pvolve. “Pvolve addresses the needs of women by understanding how to pair fitness with their life stages. We’re proud to share initial research results and provide an effective, science-backed program that supports women's overall health-span, especially given that research has historically focused on men or younger athletes.”

Pvolve can be experienced through a streaming membership that offers over 1,300 on-demand classes, a two-way, live virtual studio online, and targeted series, all available via the web and mobile apps. In addition to digital programming, Pvolve has physical studio locations in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and franchises across the US and Canada, with more than 35 locations in development. For more information, please visit www.pvolve.com.

About Pvolve

Pvolve is an omnichannel fitness company with a science-led method that pairs low-impact, functional movement with patented resistance equipment to sculpt, strengthen, and restore the body while enhancing mobility and flexibility. After being introduced to functional fitness in 2017, founder Rachel Katzman was determined to help others experience an approach that respects the body's holistic needs while making you look and feel great. The Pvolve Method is supported by a Clinical Advisory Board of doctors, as well as highly credentialed trainers, to offer effective workouts that help you break a sweat, not your body. In June 2023, world-renowned actress, producer, and director, Jennifer Aniston, officially partnered with Pvolve after falling in love with the method as a member. Through its hybrid fitness model, Pvolve can be experienced through a streaming membership that offers over 1,300 on-demand classes, a two-way, live virtual studio, and targeted series, all available via the web and mobile apps. Additionally, Pvolve has physical studio locations in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and franchises across the US and Canada, with more than 35 locations in development. For more information, please visit https://www.pvolve.com/, https://pvolvefranchise.com/.

About University of Exeter

The University of Exeter combines world-class research with excellent student satisfaction, from our campuses in the South West of England, in Exeter and Cornwall. We are one of the very few universities to be both a member of the Russell Group and have a Gold award from the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), evidence of our established international reputation for excellence in both teaching and research. Our success is built on a strong partnership with our students and a clear focus on high performance.

Foot notes:

1 - Source: Cowley, Emma & Olenick, Alyssa & Mcnulty, Kelly & Ross, Emma. (2021). “29. 1-6. 10.1123/wspaj.2021-0028.

2 - Source: Austad SN. Why women live longer than men: sex differences in longevity. Gend Med. 2006;3(2):79–92.

3 - The 12-week clinical trial conducted by the University of Exeter and Pvolve included 72 women ages 40-60 years old, comparing 4 Pvolve workouts per week of 30-55 minutes in length to standard physical activity guidelines of 150 minutes per week.

4 - Subjects in the control group followed physical activity guidelines of 150 minutes per week consistent with guidelines and recommendations from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), American Diabetes Association (ADA), and American Heart Association (AHA).

5 - Preliminary results from a 12-week clinical trial of 72 women ages 40-60 show a significant increase in hip flexion strength (P<.0001) and an increase in hip abduction strength (P<.008) for study participants following Pvolve method 4 times per week, 30-55 minutes in length per session vs. standard physical activity guidelines of 150 minutes per week. Results are presented from baseline with no changes observed in the control group.

6 - Preliminary results from a 12-week clinical trial of 72 women ages 40-60 show a significant increase in “sit and reach” mobility (P<.001), indicating an overall increase in hip, lower, and upper body flexibility for study participants following Pvolve method 4 times per week, 30-55 minutes in length per session vs. standard physical activity guidelines of 150 minutes per week. Results are presented from baseline with no changes observed in the control group.

7 - Preliminary results from a 12-week clinical trial of 72 women ages 40-60 show a significant increase in lateral reach and medial reach (P<.001), and an increase in anterior reach and combined reach, resulting in a total increase in hip and lower body mobility and stability for study participants following Pvolve method 4 times per week, 30-55 minutes in length per session vs. standard physical activity guidelines of 150 minutes per week. Results are presented from baseline with no changes observed in the control group.

8 - Preliminary results from a survey conducted as part of a 12-week clinical trial of 72 women ages 40-60 show a significant increase in quality of life (P<.005) and energy/fatigue (P<.001) for study participants following Pvolve method 4 times per week, 30-55 minutes in length per session vs. standard physical activity guidelines of 150 minutes per week. Results are presented from baseline with no changes observed in the control group.

9 - Preliminary results from a 12-week clinical trial of 72 women ages 40-60 show a significant increase in lean mass (P<.001), measured by a body composition (DEXA) scan, for study participants following Pvolve method 4 times per week, 30-55 minutes in length per session vs. standard physical activity guidelines of 150 minutes per week. Results are presented from baseline with no changes observed in the control group.

10 - Preliminary results from a 12-week clinical trial of 72 women ages 40-60 show significant decrease in cholesterol levels (P=.002) and triglycerides (P<.001) for perimenopausal study participants specifically, measured via bloodwork, following Pvolve method 4 times per week, 30-55 minutes in length per session vs. standard physical activity guidelines of 150 minutes per week. Results are presented from baseline with no changes observed in the control group.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240117660302/en/