Postmenopausal
Conditions
Brief summary
Investigating the effects of adding resistance training to breathing exercises, compared with breathing exercises alone, on ventilatory function as the primary outcome and respiratory muscle strength, functional capacity, and quality of life as secondary outcomes in postmenopausal women.
Detailed description
This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of adding a 12-week moderate-intensity resistance training program to breathing exercises, compared with breathing exercises alone, in postmenopausal women. Background: Menopause accelerates declines in pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, and functional capacity, frequently leading to restrictive ventilatory patterns and impaired quality of life. While resistance training benefits various populations, its comprehensive effects combined with breathing exercises had not been evaluated in postmenopausal women. Methods: Seventy-eight postmenopausal women aged 45 to 60 years were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio into two parallel groups of 39 participants each. Both groups performed diaphragmatic breathing exercises three times weekly for 12 weeks, while the intervention group additionally performed moderate-intensity resistance exercises targeting major muscle groups. Outcomes: The primary outcome evaluated ventilatory function via forced vital capacity and total lung capacity. Secondary outcomes assessed respiratory muscle strength via maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures, functional capacity via the six-minute walk test, and quality of life via a validated menopause-specific questionnaire.
Interventions
OTHERResistance exercises
Participants performed a 12-week moderate-intensity resistance training program targeting major muscle groups (including the leg press, hamstring curl, standing calf raise, chest press, overhead shoulder press, biceps curl, abdominal crunch, and trunk extension) three times weekly. Resistance intensity was set at 55% to 70% of baseline one-repetition maximum and progressed across the 12-week period.
OTHERBreathing exercises
Participants performed diaphragmatic breathing exercises alone in the crook-lying position three times weekly for 12 weeks, focusing on abdominal expansion rather than chest movement. Sessions progressively increased from 3 to 5 sets, with each set comprising 5 to 10 breathing cycles.
Sponsors
Middle East University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE (Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
45 Years to 60 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Natural menopause, confirmed clinically by the cessation of menstruation for twelve consecutive months and hormonally by serum follicle-stimulating hormone levels of 49 international units per liter or higher. * Normal and restricted ventilatory function according to American Thoracic Society criteria, defined as a total lung capacity greater than or equal to 80% or less than 80% of the predicted value, respectively. * Ages between 45 and 60 years.
Exclusion criteria
* Premature menopause. * Chronic respiratory disorders, such as obstructive or interstitial pulmonary diseases. * Thoracic or abdominal surgery within the previous 3 months. * Diaphragmatic hernia or paralysis. * Unstable cardiovascular conditions. * Musculoskeletal or neurological disorders affecting exercise performance. - --Contraindications to exercise testing.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Ventilatory Function | Baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention | Forced vital capacity and total lung capacity were measured using a pulmonary function testing system in accordance with American Thoracic Society recommendations, expressed as a percentage of the predicted value. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Respiratory muscle strength | Baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention | Maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures measured via a digital respiratory pressure manometer following European Respiratory Society recommendations, displayed in centimeters of water. |
| Functional capacity | Baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention | The total distance walked by participants along a standardized 30-meter corridor during a six-minute period, recorded in meters in accordance with American Thoracic Society guidelines. |
| Quality of life | Baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention | Menopause-specific quality of life evaluated using the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire covering vasomotor, physical, psychosocial, and sexual domains, with higher scores indicating greater symptom-related impairment. |
Countries
Egypt
Outcome results
None listed