Functional training in postmenopause: Cardiac autonomic modulation and cardiorespiratory parameters, a randomized...

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Medicine
• Cardiovascular Physiology
• Exercise Science

Background:

• Menopause is associated with changes in cardiorespiratory parameters and autonomic function.
• Maintaining cardiovascular health is crucial for postmenopausal women's overall well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of functional training on cardiorespiratory fitness.
• To assess changes in cardiac autonomic modulation following functional training in postmenopausal women.

Main Methods:

• 39 healthy postmenopausal women were randomized into a functional training group (FTG) or a control group (CG).
• The FTG underwent 18 weeks of functional training.
• Evaluated parameters included blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and heart rate variability.

Main Results:

• Functional training significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure in the FTG compared to the CG.
• Heart rate and respiratory rate showed significant decreases in the FTG.
• Heart rate variability indices, including the root mean square of successive differences and RR intervals, improved significantly in the FTG.

Conclusions:

• Functional training demonstrates positive effects on cardiorespiratory parameters in postmenopausal women.
• The study highlights functional training's efficacy in enhancing cardiac autonomic modulation.
• This intervention may be beneficial for improving cardiovascular health in postmenopausal women.