Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEAS) and yoga may mitigate or reverse the effects of aging and frailty on bone, muscle and balance loss. The mechanism of the effects may be direct - working through androgen or estrogen receptors in bone, muscle or brain. Or the effects may be indirect, countering effects of the stress response.
The specific aims of this study are:
1. To determine the effects of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) supplementation and/or Hatha yoga on muscle strength, balance, body composition and physical performance measures over 6 months in women with osteopenia and some degree of frailty
2. To determine the effect of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) supplementation and/or Hatha yoga on function (physical and cognitive), bone metabolism, and cardiovascular risk factors.
