AEROBIC EXERCISE: EFFECTS ON SELECTED HEALTH VARIABLES IN MENOPAUSAL WOMEN (WOMEN).

Description

Physical fitness and exercise has been identified as a priority for improving the health of the nation. However, sufficient evidence is lacking regarding the indications and benefits of exercise for specific population groups. Menopausal women constitute one group for whom exercise is recommended, yet empirical data about its effects on these women are scarce. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an aerobic exercise program on selected health variables in menopausal women. These variables included functional capacity as measured by maximal oxygen consumption during a symptom-limited graded exercise test, psychological health as measured by the Profile of Mood States, general health perceptions as measured by the Health Insurance Study-Health Perceptions Questionnaire, and quantity, intensity, and severity of hot flashes measured using a diary approach. A convenience sample of 29 menopausal women were randomly assigned to either an experimental or control group. The treatment consisted of a moderate intensity, interval training program over a 10 week period. Bicycle ergometry was the mode of exercise. A completely randomized experimental design with multiple measurements of the dependent variables was used to investigate differences between the groups. Major findings included significant differences between the two groups on the change from baseline on maximal oxygen consumption, the psychological dimension of vigor/activity, perception of present health, and quantity of hot flashes. Additional findings of interest were the low attrition and a large number of false positive graded exercise tests.

Subjects