Body composition and self-perception of age and health in resistance-trained postmenopausal women

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the effect of exercise training on body composition outcomes in postmenopausal women. PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, and Medline were searched to identify the randomized controlled trials which evaluated effect of exercise training versus control in postmenopausal women. Standardized mean differences (SMD), weighted mean differences (WMD) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated using random effects model. One hundred and one studies involving 5,697 postmenopausal women were included in the meta-analysis. Results indicated that exercise training effectively increased muscle mass/ volume, muscle and fiber cross-sectional area and fat-free mass, and decreased fat mass, body fat percentage, waist circumference and visceral fat. Furthermore, subgroup analyses results revealed that aerobic and combined training had greater beneficial effects on fat mass outcomes, whereas resistance and combined training had greater beneficial effects on muscle mass outcomes. Overall, our results revealed that exercise training is effective for improving body composition in postmenopausal women. To be specific, aerobic training is effective on fat loss, whereas resistance training is effective on muscle gain. However, combination of aerobic and resistance trainings may be considered a viable strategy to improve body composition in postmenopausal women. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42021283425.

Menopause is often accompanied by an age-associated hormonal decline, increased blood pressure (BP), and poor body composition, which may collectively increase risks for cardiovascular disease. It is important to combat the negative effects on age-associated hormonal decline, BP, and body composition by incorporating appropriate lifestyle interventions, such as exercise. We sought to examine the effects of a 12-week resistance band exercise training program on aging-related hormones including estradiol, growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), BP, and body composition in postmenopausal women with stage 1 hypertension. Postmenopausal women with stage 1 hypertension (n = 20) were recruited and randomly assigned to a 12-week resistance band exercise training group (EX, n = 10) or control group (CON, n = 10). The EX group performed a total-body resistance band exercise training program. Levels of estradiol, GH, IGF-1, DHEA-S, as well as BP and body composition were assessed before and after 12 weeks. There were significant group by time interactions (P < 0.05) for estradiol, GH, IGF-1, DHEA-S, and lean body mass, which significantly increased (P < 0.05), and systolic BP, total body mass, body mass index, and body fat percentage, which significantly decreased (P < 0.05) after EX compared to no changes in CON. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in diastolic BP after 12 weeks. These results indicate that 12 weeks of resistance band exercise may be an effective, easily accessible, and cost-efficient intervention for improving age-associated hormonal decline, high BP, and poor body composition in postmenopausal women with stage 1 hypertension. : Video Summary: http://links.lww.com/MENO/A494.

Phytoestrogen supplementation and body composition in postmenopausal women: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

To compare body composition and serum leptin levels in untreated postmenopausal women and postmenopausal women treated with tibolone or raloxifene. This was a prospective, randomized, controlled study. Sixty-eight postmenopausal women were randomized to receive either no treatment (group A, n = 21) or tibolone 2.5 mg/day (group B; n = 23) or raloxifene 60 mg/day (group C; n = 24). All women underwent height, weight, body mass index evaluation and dual energy x-ray absorptiometry determination of body composition at the beginning of the study and after 12 months. Serum leptin levels were determined at the beginning of the study and after 1, 3, 6, and 12 months in all groups. Women in group A showed no significant changes in both fat and lean mass of arms and legs, whereas a significant increase in trunk fat mass, total fat mass, total percentage of body fat, and trunk percentage of fat was detected 1 year after the beginning of the study. After 12 months, the total percentage of fat mass was significantly higher in group A compared with group B, and the trunk percentage of fat mass was significantly higher in group A compared with groups. In subjects in groups B and C, after 1 year, fat mass, both total and at all areas evaluated, did not show any significant change compared with baseline values. In subjects in group B, total lean and lean mass of the trunk and legs increased significantly at the end of the study, whereas no significant changes were observed in lean mass, total and at all areas evaluated in subjects in group C. After 12 months, total lean mass and lean mass of the legs were significantly higher in group B compared with the other groups. In group A, serum leptin levels were significantly increased at the end of the study compared with baseline values. Leptin concentrations were significantly higher in group A compared with groups B and C after 6 and 12 months. No significant change in serum leptin levels in subjects in groups B and C was detected throughout the study. Serum leptin levels showed a positive, significant correlation with all body composition parameters and body mass index in all groups at the beginning and at the end of the study. The present study confirms that postmenopausal hypoestrogenism leads to increased fat content and serum leptin levels. Raloxifene and tibolone seem to prevent postmenopausal body composition changes without significant modifications of serum leptin levels.

Insufficient evidence supports yoga as an effective intervention in menopausal age. Simultaneously, there is insufficient information on the effect of resistance training with elastic band in postmenopausal women. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of yoga with and without elastic band resistance training on levels of visfatin, liver enzymes and body composition in postmenopausal women. In a quasi-experimental study, thirty-three postmenopausal women voluntarily participated in the study and were randomly divided into three 12-subject groups: (only yoga (YO), yoga + elastic band resistance training (YEB) and control (C)). The eight-week training period consisted of three non-consecutive sessions per week. The YO group performed only yoga training and the YEB group performed yoga and elastic band resistance training. Each training session consisted of warm-up (5 min), main exercise (30-40 min in YO group and 50-60 min in YEB group), and cool-down (5 min). Group C received no exercise intervention. General characteristics, visfatin, liver enzymes and body composition were measured before and after the training period. To analyse the data, repeated measure ANOVA was used at the significant level of P&lt;0.05. Eight weeks of yoga with and without elastic band resistance training has no significant effects on visfatin (P=0.133), alanine transaminase (P=0.854), aspartate transaminase (P=0.782), body weight (P=0.373), body mass index (P=0.371), body fat percentage (P=0.687), and waist to hip ratio (P S&gt;0.05). Practicing yoga with and without elastic band resistance training for eight weeks (three days a week) does not lead to positive or negative changes in visfatin levels, liver enzymes, and body composition indices in postmenopausal women. Further research with greater training volumes or longer duration trainings seems necessary.

In vitro and animal studies suggested that soy protein and isoflavones promote weight and body fat loss. However, clinical trials in humans were few and the effects remained uncertain. To examine whether soy protein with isoflavones and isoflavone extracts exert beneficial effects on body composition among postmenopausal women. A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial was conducted among 180 postmenopausal Chinese women with mild hyperglycemia. After a 2-week adaptation, participants were randomly assigned to one of the three arms to receive 15 g soy protein and 100 mg isoflavones (Soy group), or 15 g milk protein and 100 mg isoflavones (Iso group), or 15 g milk protein (placebo group) on a daily basis for 6 months. We observed a mild but significant favorable effect of soy protein with isoflavones on the changes of body weight (BW), body mass index, and body fat percentage relative to isoflavone extracts and milk protein after 6-month supplementation. The mean differences of BW between the Soy and the Iso groups were -0.75 kg (95% CI: -1.363 to -0.136, P=0.017), and between the Soy and the placebo groups were -0.60 kg (95% CI: -1.209 to -0.019, P=0.047). The mean difference of change percentage in body fat percentage between the Soy and the Iso groups was -3.74% (95% CI: -6.88 to -0.60%, P=0.02), and between the Soy and the placebo groups was -2.54% (95% CI: -5.69 to 0.12%. P=0.08). Six-month supplementation of soy protein with isoflavones had a mild favorable effect on body composition in postmenopausal women.

The influence of resistance training on adipokines in post-menopausal women: A brief review

This study evaluates the effects of electrical stimulation on body composition and the meridian system in postmenopausal women with obesity. Forty-one postmenopausal women were recruited in Taiwan. The body composition was used as a screening test for obesity (percentage of body fat: > 30%, waist circumference: > 80 cm). The experimental group (EG, n = 20) received modulated middle-frequency electrical stimulation treatment for 20 min twice a week for 12 consecutive weeks at the Zusanli (ST36) and Sanyinjiao (SP6) acupoints. The control group (CG, n = 21) did not receive any intervention. The measurements of body composition and the meridian system were recorded for both groups in the pre- and post-study. The results showed that the data of body composition (weight, waist and hip circumference, percentage of body fat, and percentage of lean muscle mass) changed considerably in the EG (p < 0.05); however, no significant difference was observed in the CG. The left triple burner meridian changed notably in both EG and CG throughout the study (p < 0.05), however there was no difference between the two groups in the overall mean value, up-down ratio, qi and blood ratio, and yin-yang ratio. Our findings suggest that modulated middle-frequency electrical stimulation could help to improve body composition in postmenopausal women with obesity, potentially providing them with better care and health by integrating Western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine.

Menopausal transition is characterized by ovarian failure and its consequent decrease in female sex steroid production. Earlier studies suggest that an increase and redistribution of body fat during menopause predispose women to cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. In addition, peri- and post-menopausal women seem to have less lean body mass (LBM) compared with pre-menopausal women. Accordingly, a changing ovarian hormonal status may accelerate the loss of muscle mass and result in decreased muscle performance and functional capacity. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been used to treat menopausal symptoms and as a primary prevention therapy in chronic conditions. Inconsistent findings have, however, been published on the effects of HRT on body composition in post-menopausal women. Some studies clearly suggest that HRT counteracts menopause-related changes in body composition whereas others fail to show any difference between post-menopausal HRT users and abstainers. Although cross-sectional studies show conflicting results concerning the association between HRT and muscle performance, experimental trials suggest that deterioration in muscle force during menopause can be prevented by HRT. In the future, longitudinal data need to be collected to confirm changes in body composition and muscle performance during menopausal transition irrespective of age. Although HRT seems to have beneficial effects on body composition and muscle performance in healthy post-menopausal women, there is considerable variation in the effects of HRT between different studies. The underlying mechanism of HRT action on muscle performance is still unclear.

To evaluate the effects of exercise interventions on bone health and body composition in postmenopausal women with breast cancer. A systematic search was conducted across PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, CENTRAL, and CNKI databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published before October 2024. Data from eligible studies were extracted and analyzed using STATA software. Eight RCTs comprising 1099 participants were included. The results indicated no significant differences between exercise and control interventions in patients' bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar spine (WMD = 0.116, 95% CI [-0.357, 0.589], p = 0.631), femoral neck (WMD = -0.214, 95% CI [-0.497, 0.068], p = 0.137), or total hip (WMD = 0.299, 95% CI [-0.283, 0.882], p = 0.314). For body composition parameters, exercise interventions led to significant improvements in lean mass (WMD = 0.192, 95% CI [0.023, 0.362], p = 0.026) and marked reductions in percent body fat (WMD = -1.327, 95% CI [-2.587, -0.066], p = 0.039) compared to the control. However, no significant differences were observed in body weight (WMD = -0.024, 95% CI [-0.193, 0.146], p = 0.784) or fat mass (WMD = -0.078, 95% CI [-0.703, 0.546], p = 0.806) between the two interventions. The current evidence suggested that exercise interventions effectively improve lean mass and reduce percent body fat but have a limited impact on BMD in postmenopausal women with breast cancer. A multimodal, individualized exercise program is recommended to address the challenges of bone health and body composition in this population. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42024613744.

SummaryThe objective of this study was to determine body composition, physical activity, and psychological state in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Fat mass, lean mass, water mass, and basal metabolic rate are lower, self-reported physical activity and risk factors of fractures are higher, and cognitive functions were worse in osteoporotic patients than in controls. Significant correlations were found between physical activity and emotional state parameters.IntroductionThis study aims to determine peculiarities of body composition, physical activity, risk factors predicting fractures, psychological state and quality of life, and possible relations between them in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis in Lithuania.MethodsThirty-one postmenopausal women with osteoporosis and 29 healthy age- and sex-matched controls were included in the study. Profile of Mood State and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were used for the assessment of emotional state. Trail Making Test and Digit Symbol Test of Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale were used to evaluate cognitive functioning. Quality of life was evaluated using the World Health Organization Brief Quality of Life Questionnaire. Risk of fractures was assessed by the Risk Factors Predicting Questionnaire.ResultsFat mass (22.4 ± 4.7 vs. 40.6 ± 14.2 kg, p < 0.001), lean mass (37.3 ± 6.0 vs. 48.1 ± 7.6 kg, p < 0.001), water mass (31.6 ± 2.9 vs. 38.3 ± 5.3 kg, p < 0.001), and basal metabolic rate (1,253 ± 132 vs. 1,456 ± 126 kcal, p < 0.001) were lower in osteoporotic patients than in controls. Self-reported physical activity (2.35 ± 0.6 vs. 1.69 ± 0.5, p < 0.001) and risk factors of fractures (5.9 ± 2.1 vs. 2.6 ± 2.4, p < 0.001) were higher in women with osteoporosis than in healthy age- and sex-matched controls (2.35 ± 0.6 vs. 69 ± 0.5, p < 0.001). Trail making A and B scores were higher in patients than in age- and sex-matched controls (55.8 ± 19.9 vs. 45.1 ± 19.9, p = 0.07 and 118.2 ± 34.6 vs. 92.8 ± 48.7, p = 0.006). Some significant correlations were detected between physical activity and emotional state and quality of life parameters.ConclusionIn postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, fat body mass, lean body mass, water body mass, basal metabolic rate, and waist-to-hip ratio are lower, physical activity and risk of fractures are higher, and cognitive functions are worse than in age- and sex-matched controls. Some psychological peculiarities could be related to physical activity in women with osteoporosis.

Whole-body vibration augments resistance training effects on body composition in postmenopausal women

O-211: Effect of soy phytoestrogens on systemic markers of inflammation and adiposity in postmenopausal women

Comparison of methods for assessing body-composition changes over 1 y in postmenopausal women

The main purpose of this study was to analyze the impact of a 1-yr resistance-training program on body composition and muscle strength in postmenopausal women, and to describe the impact of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on body composition changes, with and without exercise. Secondarily, we wanted to study dose-response relationships between measures of program compliance and changes in primary outcomes. Subjects were postmenopausal women (40-66 yr) randomly assigned to an exercise (EX) group (N = 117) and a nonexercise group (N = 116). The EX group participated in a 1 yr trainer-supervised resistance-training program, 60-75 min.d-1, 3 d.wk-1. Lean soft tissue (LST) and fat tissue (FT) changes were measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and strength by one-repetition maximum testing. Significant (P < 0.001) gains in LST were observed for women who exercised, regardless of HRT status, whereas women who did not exercise lost LST (P < 0.05) if they were not taking HRT, and gained LST (P = 0.08) if they were on HRT. The only significant FT losses were observed for women who exercised while on HRT (P < 0.05). Strength increases were observed at all sites (P < 0.001). Total weight lifted by subjects in their training sessions was a significant predictor of changes in LST (P < 0.001) and strength (P < 0.01). Resistance and weight-bearing exercise significantly changed total and regional body composition in postmenopausal women by increasing LST in all women and decreasing FT in women on HRT. Hormone therapy showed no independent effects on body composition, but it protected nonexercising women from losses in LST. The lean and muscle strength changes observed were partially dependent on the volume of training, as expressed by attendance and total weight lifted in 1 yr of training.