Assessment of Electrocardiogram Indices in Postmenopausal Women: Effects of Aerobic Exercise and Detraining

Introduction: electrocardiogram (ECG) indices as a valuable tool for the diagnosis depolarization and repolarization of the myocardium are affected by aerobic exercise and detraining. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 12-week moderate-intensity aerobic exercise and 5 months detraining on electrocardiogram (ECG) indices in post-menopausal women. Methods: Twenty-four post-menopausal women aged 50-70 years were randomly assigned to Exercise (E, n=12) and Control (C, n=12) groups. E group performed of 12 weeks moderate-intensity aerobic exercise program (W-WJMIAEP-R), and then 5 months detraining remained, but the C group participated in no intervention during 8-month. The ECG indices were measured at baseline, after 12-week exercise, and after 5-month detraining. Results: After 12-week in between-groups, ECG indices were not significantly different (P>0.05), except P-R interval (P≤0.05). After 5-month detraining in between-groups were not a significant difference for dependent variables (P>0.05), except P-R segment and S-T interval (P≤0.05). Conclusion: The Results suggest that 12 weeks of W-WJMIAEP-R increases P-R interval in sedentary post-menopausal women that is likely to be effective in preventing heart arrhythmias. The P-R segment and S-T interval decreased significantly after 5 months detraining period that 12 weeks W-WJMIAEP-R induced-ECG positive adaptations such as decrease P-R segment and S-T interval are maintained even after 5-month detraining and consequently prevents the increase in atrial aging process in postmenopausal women.