Sixteen weeks of resistance training can decrease the risk of metabolic syndrome in healthy postmenopausal women

Author(s)

Conceicao, Miguel Soares ^[1] ; Bonganha, Valeria ^[1] ; Vechin, Felipe Cassaro ^[2] ; de Barros Berton, Ricardo Paes ^[1] ; Lixandrao, Manoel Emilio ^[1] ; Damas Nogueira, Felipe Romano ^[1] ; de Souza, Giovana Verginia ^[1] ; Traina Chacon-Mikahil, Mara Patricia ^[1] ; Libardi, Cleiton Augusto ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Estadual Campinas, Sch Phys Educ, Exercise Physiol Lab, BR-13083851 Campinas, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Phys Educ & Sport, Lab Neuromuscular Adaptat Strength Training, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: CLINICAL INTERVENTIONS IN AGING; v. 8, p. 1221-1227, 2013.
• Web of Science Citations: 28

Abstract

Background: The postmenopausal phase has been considered an aggravating factor for developing metabolic syndrome. Notwithstanding, no studies have as yet investigated the effects of resistance training on metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women. Thus, the purpose of this study was to verify whether resistance training could reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women. Methods: Twenty postmenopausal women were randomly assigned to a resistance training protocol (n = 10, 53.40 +/- 3.95 years, 64.58 +/- 9.22 kg) or a control group (n = 10, 53.0 +/- 5.7 years, 64.03 +/- 5.03 kg). In the resistance training protocol, ten exercises were performed, with 3 x 8-10 maximal repetitions three times per week, and the load was increased every week. Twoway analysis of variance was used to evaluate specific metabolic syndrome Z-score, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, waist circumference, blood pressure, strength, and body composition. The level of statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: The main results demonstrated a significant decrease of metabolic syndrome Z-score when the postmenopausal women performed resistance training (P = 0.0162). Moreover, we observed decreases in fasting blood glucose for the resistance training group (P = 0.001), and also significant improvements in lean body mass (P = 0.042, 2.46%), reduction of body fat percentage (P = 0.001, -6.75%) and noticeable increases in muscle strength after resistance training to leg press (P = 0.004, 41.29%) and bench press (P = 0.0001, 27.23%). Conclusion: It was concluded that resistance training performed three times a week may reduce the metabolic syndrome Z-score with concomitant decreases in fasting blood glucose, improvements in body composition, and muscle strength in postmenopausal women. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/09709-0 - EFFECTS OF CONCURRENT TRAINING IN THE NUMBER OF SATELLITE CELLS IN AGING
• Grantee: Miguel Soares Conceição
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate