SIB# 412 - Resistance and Aerobic Exercise In Elderly Women
The Study: Habitual Combined Exercise Protects Against Age-Associated Decline in Vascular Function and Lipid Profiles in Elderly Postmenopausal Women.
The Facts:
a. “This study investigated differences in vascular function, lipids, body composition, and physical fitness in elderly postmenopausal women active in combined resistance and aerobic exercise (CRAE) training…”
b. The duration of the study was 1 year.
c. The subjects were women aged approximately 75 for the exercise group and approximately 78 for the sedentary (non-exercising) group.
d. The exercising subjects participated in supervised, group workouts three times weekly for a year.
e. The total time for each session was 1 hour.
f. There was a 5 minute warm up followed by 8 resistance exercises which were each done for 3 sets of between 10 to 15 repetitions. This resistance period lasted for 20 minutes.
g. Next was aerobic exercise which consisted of walking, jogging and cycling that lasted for 30 minutes.
h. Finally there was a 5 minute cool down period of walking and stretching.
i. At the end of the study the non-exercising group had systolic blood pressures of 137 vs. 120 for the exercise group with no significant difference in diastolic pressures. The LDL for exercisers was 110.9 vs. 94.9 and body fat percentages were also improved in the exercise group at 33.0 vs. 27.0.
Take Home:
Subjects who exercised exhibited improved systolic blood pressures, LDL levels and body fat percentages at the end of one year compared to those who did not exercise.
Reviewer's Comments: I applaud the efforts of the participants over the full year. I do have one comment, and it applies to many different exercise studies. Exactly how hard did the participants actually exercise? I do (at least I did before the temporary closure of my gym.) around 9 exercises for 3 sets of each exercise for resistance exercise for only two sessions per week and it takes me a little less than an hour and a half per session. I’m pretty tired at the end of the session and I’m not 75 yet. Measuring resistance exercise effort is not really easy but it is a factor that should be considered in future studies.
On a related note, we are interested in reviewing articles involving hormone replacement therapy, especially in postmenopausal women. We invite those who are knowledgeable in that area to contact us with suggestions. Remember we’re like money, “In God We Trust.” but in our case, all others bring data! So please share those papers and references you have found to be helpful and interesting.
Reviewer: Roger Coleman DC
Editor: Mark R. Payne DC
Reference: Elizabeth J Pekas, John Shin, Won-Mok Son et.al. Habitual Combined Exercise Protects Against Age-Associated Decline in Vascular Function and Lipid Profiles in Elderly Postmenopausal Women. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 May 30;17(11):E3893. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17113893.
Link to Abstract: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32486335/?from_term=walking+and+blood+pressure&from_filter=simsearch2.ffrft&from_sort=date&from_pos=2
Link to Full Text: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/11/3893