4. Squats Along with the bridge, squats can promote a stronger pelvic floor and buttocks. To perform a squat, a person should: Stand with the feet hip-width apart, keeping them flat on the floor. Bend at the knees to bring the buttocks toward the floor, going only as low as is comfortable. Keep the back straight and leaning slightly forward. The knees should be in line with the toes. Focus on tightening the buttocks and pelvic floor while returning to a standing position. Repeat this exercise to do a total of 10 repetitions. Rest before performing any additional sets. Not all squats target the pelvic floor. Wide-legged or deep squats may make it difficult to retain a pelvic floor contraction. When strengthening the pelvic floor, narrow and shallow squats tend to be more beneficial.

A new study has investigated the impact of dietary soy on bone strength in postmenopausal women. The authors conclude that eating more soy might in fact strengthen bones in women of all ages.

Could soy improve bone health in women?

The reduction in bone density and strength that is common in postmenopausal women is of huge concern.

As women age, osteoporosis, reduced activity levels, and weight gain act together to decrease bone health and negatively impact metabolism.

Osteoporosis and bone weakness increases the risk of fractures, which then lead to even more inactivity and weight gain, exacerbating the issue further.

As the population becomes — on average — older and heavier, bone health is an important area of medical science to study.

Recently, researchers from the University of Missouri in Columbia set out to test how alterations to a woman's diet might impact the resilience of her bones. In particular, they were interested in the effects of soy-based proteins.