Weight and Postmenopausal Women
Effects of Exercise Training and Hormone
Replacement Therapy on Lean and Fat Mass in Postmenopausal Women.
Weight & Fat Mass Study Background
Menopause is associated with decreases in lean body mass and increases
in fat body mass. Serum hormone levels and hormone replacement therapy
(HRT) may modify the effects of exercise training on body composition
in postmenopausal women.
Weight & Fat Mass Study Methods
We assessed the changes in total body and regional lean soft tissue and
fat mass in 94 sedentary postmenopausal women, aged 40-65 years, after
12 months of resistance and weight-bearing aerobic exercise training.
Women currently on oral HRT (n = 39) and not on HRT (n = 55) were randomized
within groups to exercise and no exercise, resulting in four groups: exercise
+ HRT (n = 20), HRT (n = 22), exercise (n = 24), and control (n = 28).
Fasting blood samples were measured for resting serum total levels of
estrone, estradiol, cortisol, androstenedione, growth hormone, and insulin-like
growth factor 1 at baseline and 12 months.
Weight & Fat Mass Study Results
We found significant effects of exercise on increases in total body, arm,
and leg lean soft tissue mass, and decreases in leg fat mass and percentage
of body fat. There were no interaction effects of exercise and HRT on
the changes in muscle strength and body composition. No significant changes
in total hormone levels were found after 12 months.
Weight & Fat Mass Study Conclusion
Exercise training resulted in significant beneficial changes in lean soft
tissue and fat mass in early postmenopausal women. These changes in body
composition were neither influenced by prolonged HRT use nor accompanied
by changes in total levels of the hormones determined in this study.
Source: 2003 The Gerontological Society
of America.
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