Within the examine, researchers wished to see what performed a much bigger position 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. Members’ 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 had been analyzed alongside the members’ arterial stiffness to see what associations (if any) stood out.

The 2 largest components related to arterial stiffness had been fat-free mass index and imply arterial strain. Particularly, a better fat-free mass and a decrease imply arterial strain had 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. Meaning the quantity of fat-free mass (like muscle) you carry could play a much bigger position in coronary heart well being than physique fats or whole physique weight, however age performs an element as properly (one thing to remember, as girls are inclined to lose muscle mass as they age). 

Constructing muscle via focused life-style modifications—e.g., weight coaching and consuming extra protein—is a dependable option to enhance your fat-free mass.

Nonetheless, it’s essential to do not forget that this examine was observational, so we are able to’t know for positive that bettering muscle mass will all the time end in higher coronary heart well being.