The effect of concurrent endurance and resistance training on cardio-respiratory capacity and cardiovascular risk markers among sedentary overweight or obese post-menopausal women

Exercise training has been inversely associated with cardiovascular risk factors. However, the clinical trials examining the effect of exercise training on reducing cardiovascular risk factors have produced conflicting results. We aimed to assess the effect of concurrent exercise training on cardiorespiratory capacity and cardio-vascular risk factors among sedentary overweight or obese post-menopausal women. Settings and Design: This randomized controlled trial was done in 2016. This study was conducted on 22 healthy post-menopausal overweight and obese females, which randomly divided into concurrent endurance and resistance (ER) exercise (n = 12) and control (n = 10) groups. The participants did not have any history of any serious medical condition or using drugs. Demographic questionnaire was completed, vital signs and biochemical tests were measured, and Rockport one-mile submaximal exercise test for assessing maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) was performed before and after the study. Statistical Analysis Used: Mean, standard deviation, and paired and independent t-test were used for statistical analysis. The data from the ER groups showed that the body mass index (BMI), heart rate (HR), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, triglyceride, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) decreased, high-density lipoprotein, and VO2max increased significantly, during the 8 weeks (P < 0.05). Moreover, no changes were found in the cardiovascular risk factors of women who did not exercise (P > 0.05). Concurrent ER training can be a suitable exercise program for improving plasma lipid profile as well as reducing body composition, high-sensitivity CRP, and increasing VO2max in postmenopausal women.