Abstract
We
conducted this study to investigate how an exercise program affects the risk
components of metabolic syndrome (MS), serum interleukin (IL)-6 levels, and
exercise capacity in postmenopausal women. A randomized clinical trial design
was used. Women in an exercise group participated in a treadmill exercise program
for 12 weeks, whereas women in a control group maintained their customary
lifestyle. Data on variables were collected at baseline and after 12 weeks of
the study, which was completed by 46 women (mean age, 56.0 7.0 y). Our results indicate
endurance exercise exerted significant beneficial effects on waist circumference, serum
high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and IL-6 levels, and exercise
capacity (all P < 0.05). The beneficial
effects on IL-6 and exercise capacity were correlated with improvements in
HDL-C levels (r ¼ 0.33, P ¼ 0.03 and r ¼ 0.31,
P ¼ 0.04, respectively). Our results suggest that
health-care providers can incorporate an exercise program in treatments to improve
the health of postmenopausal women.
Keywords: Postmenopausal women. Metabolic syndrome. Exercise
training. Exercise capacity. Interleukin-6
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