Key result
Aerobic exercise training reduces systolic blood pressure by ~4 mmHg in postmenopausal females.
Why the study?
Aerobic exercise training reduces cardiovascular risk in older adults, but its effectiveness and the impact of training intensity on cardiometabolic health in postmenopausal females remain less definitive.
Does aerobic exercise training improve cardiometabolic health outcomes in postmenopausal females?
Meta-Analysis (n=4,225)
Does aerobic exercise training improve cardiometabolic health outcomes in postmenopausal females?
Aerobic exercise training improves several cardiometabolic risk factors in postmenopausal females, supporting its use as a primary preventative approach, though the certainty of evidence is very low.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Supports aerobic exercise for BP and cardiometabolic management in postmenopausal women; extends older-adult evidence despite very low certainty.
Background: After menopause, reductions in ovarian hormones increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Aerobic exercise training has been shown to reduce cardiovascular risk in older adults, but its effectiveness in postmenopausal females is less definitive. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to examine the: (1) effects of aerobic training, and (2) association between aerobic training intensity and cardiometabolic health outcomes in postmenopausal females. Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Data Sources and Methods: Six electronic databases were searched from inception to July 21, 2023 for aerobic training interventions reporting cardiometabolic outcomes in postmenopausal females. Data were synthesized qualitatively and random-effects meta-analyses and subgroup analyses (light, moderate, and vigorous intensity) were performed. Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation was used to assess the certainty of evidence. Results: Fifty-nine studies ( n = 4,225; 45–78 years old) were identified, 53 ( n = 3,821) were included in the quantitative analyses. Aerobic training interventions varied in frequency (3–21×/week), intensity, type, time (8–60 min/session), and duration (3–52 weeks). Aerobic training improved systolic blood pressure (mean difference (MD) = −4.41 mmHg, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) [−7.29, −1.52], p = 0.01), resting heart rate (MD = −3.08 bpm, 95%CI [−5.11, −1.05], p < 0.01), body mass index (BMI, MD = −0.65 kg/m 2 , 95%CI [−0.99, −0.31], p < 0.01), waist circumference (MD = −2.03 cm, 95%CI [−2.65, −1.41], p < 0.01), body fat (MD = −2.57 kg, 95%CI [−3.65, −1.49], p < 0.01), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (MD = −10.46 mg/dL, 95%CI [−16.31, −4.61], p < 0.01), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (MD = 3.28 mg/dL, 95%CI [0.20, 6.36], p = 0.04) and cardiorespiratory fitness (standardized MD = 1.38, 95%CI [1.13, 1.64], p < 0.01). There was a very low certainty of evidence for all outcomes. In subgroup analyses, light- and vigorous intensities were beneficial for BMI with no effect for moderate-intensity exercise ( p < 0.01). Light intensity showed a beneficial effect ( p = 0.02) for glucose levels ( p < 0.01) and triglycerides; there was no effect with moderate or vigorous intensities. Conclusion: Aerobic training may improve cardiometabolic health outcomes in postmenopausal females. There may be differential effects of exercise intensity on BMI, blood triglycerides, and blood glucose; however, this warrants further investigation.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Huynh et al. (2024) conducted a meta-analysis in Cardiometabolic health in postmenopausal females (n=4,225). Aerobic exercise training vs. Non-exercise, non-diet, or non-pharmacological interventions (e.g., health education, stretching, relaxation, or maintain usual diet/activity) was evaluated on Systolic blood pressure (MD -4.41, 95% CI -7.29, -1.52, p=0.01). Aerobic exercise training significantly reduced systolic blood pressure by 4.41 mmHg and improved other cardiometabolic markers including BMI, body fat, and lipid profiles in postmenopausal females.
Synapse has enriched 10 related papers. Consider them for comparative context: