What role does ACTN3 play in Wechseljahre?

The role of ACTN3 in menopause is not scientifically established. ACTN3 encodes α-actinin-3, a protein found in fast-twitch (type II) muscle fibers, linked to sprint performance. During menopause, declining estrogen affects muscle mass and function. Some studies explore whether ACTN3 variants modulate muscle adaptation to hormonal changes, but evidence is weak and inconsistent. Most knowledge comes from sports genetics, not menopause research. Direct-to-consumer tests for ACTN3 in this context have no clinical utility and are often overhyped. A healthy lifestyle with resistance training and adequate protein intake is far more relevant than genetic testing.