BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:

While menopause is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, the exact causes are not fully understood.

• Loss of estrogen and other hormonal changes could play a role
• Menopause is also associated with increased fat mass
• This study by Mandrup et al. (AJOG, 2017) aimed to estimate risk factors for type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease among late premenopausal and early postmenopausal women, and the effect of high-intensity training.

METHODS:

• Matched Interventional Study
• 79 non-obese women took part in 3 months of high-intensity aerobic training
  • 40 women were late premenopausal
  • 39 women were early postmenopausal
• Anthropometrics, body composition, blood pressure, lipid profile, glucose tolerance, and maximal oxygen consumption were measured before and after the training
• Matched for anthropometrics and body composition

RESULTS:

• Time since last menstrual period was  3.1 years (95% CI 2.6-3.7)
• Mean age of postmenopausal group was 53.4 vs. 49.2 years
• Premenopausal and postmenopausal women had similar baseline cardiovascular risk factors except:
  • Postmenopausal women had higher total cholesterol at baseline (P<.001)
  • Postmenopausal had higher low-density lipoprotein (P<.05) and high-density lipoprotein (P<.001)
• In both groups training reduced body weight (P<.01), waist circumference (P<.01), increased lean body mass (P<.001), and decreased fat mass (P<.001)
• Follow training, both groups had lower diastolic blood pressure (P<.05), resting heart rate (P<.001),
• Both groups saw decreases in total cholesterol (P<.01), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (P<.01), total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol index (P<.01), and improved plasma insulin concentration following training (P<.05)

CONCLUSION:

3 months of high-intensity aerobic training reduces risk factors for type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease similarly in late premenopausal and early postmenopausal women.

Learn More – Primary Sources:

Effects of high-intensity training on cardiovascular risk factors in premenopausal and postmenopausal women

Related ObG Topics:

How Does Exercise Affect Health Postmenopause?

Early-Onset Menopause – Increased Risk of Cardiovascular Disease?

Does Estrogen Therapy Have Cardiovascular Benefit in Early Postmenopause?