Resistance training effects on healthy postmenopausal women: a systematic review with meta-analysis

Abstract

The aim of this systematic review with meta-analysis was to evaluate the effects of resistance training on physical fitness, physiological variables and body composition of postmenopausal women. The present systematic review was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement and was registered in PROSPERO. A total of 12 studies were included. The literature search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science and EBSCO. Randomized control trials were included. Two blinded investigators performed the search, study selection and data collection, and assessed the quality and risk of bias. A random-effects model was used for all analyses. Compared to the control group, resistance training produced a significant improvement in maximal oxygen volume (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 2.32, p < 0.001), lower extremity strength (SMD = 4.70, p < 0.001) and upper extremity strength (SMD = 7.42, p < 0.001). The results obtained in the systematic review and meta-analysis confirm the benefits of resistance training on physical fitness in postmenopausal women, although there is more debate regarding its influence on bone mineral density, and anthropometric and derived variables. This work provides a solid starting point for promoting resistance training at a frequency of 3 days per week, in 60-min sessions, with the aim of improving parameters directly related to quality of life, functionality and disease prevention of postmenopausal women.

摘要

本研究的目的是评估阻力训练对绝经后妇女的身体素质、生理变量和身体成分的影响。本系统评价是根据《系统评价和荟萃分析报表》(PRISMA)报表的首选报告项目进行的, 并已在PROSPERO登记。共纳入12项研究。文献检索在PubMed、Web of Science和EBSCO进行。纳入随机对照试验。两位盲审调查员进行了检索、研究选择和数据收集, 并评估了质量和偏倚风险。所有分析均采用了随机效应模型。与对照组相比, 抗阻力训练在最大氧气摄入量(标准化均值差异[SMD] = 2.32, p < 0.001)、下肢力量(SMD = 4.70, p < 0.001)和上肢力量(SMD = 7.42, p < 0.001)方面取得了显著改善。系统综述和荟萃分析的结果证实了阻力训练对绝经后妇女身体健康的好处, 尽管关于阻力训练对骨密度以及人体测量学和衍生变量的影响存在更多争议。这项工作为促进抵抗力训练提供了坚实的起点, 每周3天, 每次60分钟, 目的是改善与绝经后妇女的生活质量、功能和疾病预防直接相关的参数。

Keywords:

• Bone health
• strength
• health
• exercise
• training

Data availability statement

Data available on request from the authors.