The effect of a period of aerobic and resistance training on body composition and plasma estrogen levels in postmenopausal women

The relationship between exercise and changes in body composition, estrogen and total calcium during menopause is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of an aerobic exercise period on body composition, estrogen and total calcium levels in postmenopausal women.

In this semi-experimental study, 28 postmenopausal women (mean age 55±5 years; weight 68±2 kg) were selected by purposive sampling and randomly assigned into three groups include resistance (11), aerobic (11) training and control (6). The aerobic training program was performed three days a week at intensity of 60 to 70 percent of maximum heart rate during eight weeks. The resistance training program was performed three days a week with constant weights and a gradual increase in the number of repetitions during eight weeks. At the beginning and at the end of the intervention, body composition and plasma estrogen levels were measured. Data were analyzed by Covariance analysis at the P<0.05.

Results showed that there was no significant difference between fat percentage, muscle volume, total weight, plasma estrogen and calcium levels in postmenopausal women in the aerobic, resistance training and control groups (P>0.05).

Based on the results of the study, it seems that longer training periods may be needed for possible changes in body composition and total calcium in menopause.