The Clinical Utility of Resistance Training for Improving Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Post-Menopausal Women
The Clinical Utility of Resistance Training for Improving Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Post-Menopausal Women
Given the heightened cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in post-menopausal women, studies are
 needed to explore novel, feasible methods for reducing risk in this population. Based on
 prior data, primarily in other populations, progressive resistance training is a promising
 candidate. This project will test the effectiveness of a practical, progressive resistance
 training regimen for lowering numerous CVD risk factors compared to both aerobic training and
 no exercise in post-menopausal women.
The number of women living with cardiovascular disease (CVD) is greater than for men and CVD
 is the leading cause of death for women. Post-menopausal women are a particularly vulnerable
 population in terms of adverse cardiovascular indicators and outcomes. Specifically, they
 exhibit greater visceral adipose tissue, fasting and postprandial glucose, total cholesterol
 (Total-C), fasting insulin, and systolic blood pressure, and are at increased risk for
 coronary heart disease compared to pre-menopausal women. There is also evidence that
 cardiovascular indicators (i.e., triglycerides, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol
 (HDL-C), etc) are stronger risk predictors in women than men. Despite the staggering rates of
 CVD in post-menopausal women, as noted by the American Heart Association (AHA), CVD remains
 understudied in this population. Numerous studies have demonstrated the cardioprotective
 effects of exercise. However, these studies have largely featured younger individuals,
 primarily men, undergoing aerobic exercise training. Findings in recent years have indicated
 the potential benefits of resistance training beyond improving muscular size or strength,
 such as improved aerobic fitness, central adiposity, glycemic control, and cholesterol
 profiles. However, large clinical gaps have been noted for women with regard to the effects
 of resistance training on cardiovascular health. Thus, there is a clear need to assess the
 cardioprotective effects of progressive exercise training in post-menopausal women.

 SPECIFIC AIMS:

 1. To test the hypothesis that realistic full-body progressive resistance training improves
 markers of (a) cardiovascular health and (b) body composition and muscular health in
 post-menopausal women versus a low physical-activity control.

 A. The primary markers of cardiovascular health to be assessed are aerobic capacity,
 fasting and postprandial metabolic and inflammatory responses, vascular function via
 flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and markers of angiogenesis.

 B. The primary body composition and muscle function variables to be assessed are muscle
 size, isometric and dynamic muscle strength, lean body mass, percent body fat, and
 abdominal adiposity.

 2. To compare the effects of realistic, full-body progressive resistance training in
 post-menopausal women versus moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, the standard exercise
 prescription for cardiovascular health, on the cardiovascular, body composition, and
 muscular health outcomes listed above in 1A. and B.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  provide written and dated informed consent to participate in the study; (2) be willing
 and able to comply with the protocol

 -  be willing and able to comply with the protocol

 -  be a female between the ages of 45 and 65, inclusive

 -  be postmenopausal for ≥ 1 year

 -  be in good health and free from chronic cardiovascular, pulmonary, or musculoskeletal
 disease as determined by a health history questionnaire

 -  have a BMI between 18.5 and 40.0, inclusive; and

 -  answer no to all questions on the PAR-Q for people aged 15 to 69, which are as
 follows:

 1. Has your doctor ever said that you have a heart condition and that you should
 only do physical activity recommended by a doctor?

 2. Do you feel pain in your chest when you do physical activity?

 3. In the past month, have you had chest pain when you were not doing physical
 activity?

 4. Do you lose your balance because of dizziness or do you ever lose consciousness?

 5. Do you have a bone or joint problem that could be made worse by a change in
 physical activity?

 6. Is your doctor currently prescribing drugs for your blood pressure or heart
 condition? Do you know of any other reason why you should not do physical
 activity?

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  are currently prescribed and/or taking lipid-lowering medications

 -  are participating in another clinical trial within thirty days prior to enrollment