Effects of physical exercise on the lipid profile of perimenopausal and postmenopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Author(s)

J.V.M. Bernal ^[1] ; J.C. Sánchez-Delgado ^[2] ; A.M. Jácome-Hortúa ^[3] ; A.C. Veiga ^[4] ; G.V. Andrade ^[5] ; M.R. Rodrigues ^[6] ; H.C.D. de Souza ^[7]

Affiliation

^[1] Universidade de São Paulo. Departamento de Ciências da Saúde, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto. Laboratório de Fisiologia e Fisioterapia Cardiovascular - Brasil

^[2] Grupo de Investigación Ser Cultura y Movimiento, Facultad de Salud, Universidad Santo Tomás-Bucaramanga - Colômbia

^[3] Universidad de Santander. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas y de la Salud - Colômbia

^[4] Universidade de São Paulo. Departamento de Ciências da Saúde, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto. Laboratório de Fisiologia e Fisioterapia Cardiovascular - Brasil

^[5] Universidade de São Paulo. Departamento de Ciências da Saúde, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto. Laboratório de Fisiologia e Fisioterapia Cardiovascular - Brasil

^[6] Universidade de São Paulo. Departamento de Ciências da Saúde, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto. Laboratório de Fisiologia e Fisioterapia Cardiovascular - Brasil

^[7] Universidade de São Paulo. Departamento de Ciências da Saúde, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto. Laboratório de Fisiologia e Fisioterapia Cardiovascular - Brasil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research; v. 58, 2025-03-03.

Abstract

During the climacteric period, the decline in ovarian hormones leads to changes in the lipid profile. Physical exercise is the main non-pharmacological recommendation for controlling lipid levels. However, the effects on the lipid profile in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women are incipient and inconclusive. In this context, we searched the Embase, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases for randomized clinical trials on the effects of exercise on the lipid profile of these women. We excluded studies that did not specify criteria for classifying the climacteric phase, that involved women undergoing hormone replacement therapy, or that examined combined treatments or acute effects of physical exercise. The meta-analysis indicated that general physical exercise increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels (mean difference [MD]=4.89; 95% confidence interval [95%CI]=0.97 to 8.81) in perimenopausal women. For obese postmenopausal women, 16 weeks of aerobic training increased HDL-C levels (MD=3.88; 95%CI=0.56 to 7.20) and reduced total cholesterol (MD=-22.36; 95%CI=-29.67 to -15.05) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels (MD=-17.86; 95%CI=-25.97 to -9.75), whereas 12 weeks of resistance training increased HDL-C levels (MD=4.20; 95%CI=1.16 to 7.23) and decreased triglycerides (MD=-14.86; 95%CI=-26.62 to -3.09) and LDL-C levels (MD=-16.36; 95%CI=-28.05 to -4.67). Overall, the results showed that physical exercise regulated lipid profiles in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. Specifically, 12 weeks of resistance exercise and 16 weeks of aerobic exercise improved the lipid profile of obese postmenopausal women. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 23/08051-5 - COMPARATIVE EFFECTS OF EARLY AND PHYSIOLOGICAL OVARIAN HORMONES DEPRIVATION ON CORONARY BED REACTIVITY AND CARDIAC CONTRATILITY IN SPONTANEOUSLY HYPERTENSIVE RATS - ROLE OF AGING
• Grantee: João Vitor Martins Bernal da Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master