Resistance training decreased abdominal adiposity in postmenopausal women

Abstract

Objective: To investigate if abdominal adipose tissue volumes and ratios change after a 15-week structured resistance training intervention in postmenopausal women with vasomotor symptoms (VMS).

Study design: Sixty-five postmenopausal women with VMS and low physical activity were randomized to either three days/week supervised resistance training or unchanged physical activity for 15 weeks. Women underwent clinical anthropometric measurements and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at baseline and after 15 weeks. MRI was done using a Philips Ingenia 3.0 T MR scanner (Philips, Best, The Netherlands). The per protocol principle was used in the analysis of data.

Main outcome measurements: The absolute change from baseline to week 15 in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) volume and the relative ratio (VAT ratio) between VAT and total abdominal adipose tissue (TAAT), i.e. the sum of abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (ASAT) and VAT.

Results: There were no significant differences between the groups in characteristics, anthropometry or MRI measures at baseline. Women who were compliant with the intervention (i.e. participated in at least two of the three scheduled training sessions per week) had significantly different reduction over time in ASAT (p = 0.006), VAT (p = 0.002), TAAT (p = 0.003) and fat ratio (p < 0.001) compared with women in the control group.

Conclusions: Implementation of a 15-week resistance training regimen in midlife may help women to counteract the abdominal fat redistribution associated with the menopausal transition.

Clinical trials: gov registered ID: NCT01987778.

Keywords: Abdominal fat mass; Cardiovascular disease risks; Health; Postmenopausal; Resistance training.