Comparison of Periodization Models of Concurrent Training in Recreationally Active Postmenopausal Women

Abstract

Medeiros, LHL, Sandbakk, SB, Bertazone, TMA, and Bueno Júnior, CR. Comparison of periodization models of concurrent training in recreationally active postmenopausal women. J Strength Cond Res 36(4): 977–983, 2022—Although concurrent training is the most effective way to improve both neuromuscular and cardiorespiratory functions in older populations, there are no studies in the literature comparing different periodization models on cardiorespiratory and muscle strength adaptations. Thus, the main objective of this study was to investigate the effects of different periodization models of concurrent aerobic and strength training using equalized training volume programs on muscle strength and cardiorespiratory fitness in recreationally active postmenopausal women. After 3 weeks of adaptation, 58 women aged 50–75 years were randomly assigned to (a) nonperiodization (NP), (b) daily nonlinear periodization (NLP), or (c) flexible daily NLP (FNLP). At baseline and after 12 weeks, aerobic fitness (peak oxygen uptake [V̇o2peak] and the 6-minute walk test) and maximal muscle strength (1 repetition maximum of bench press and leg press) were measured. It was shown that maximal strength increased in the bench press (effect size [ES] 1.18 in NLP and 1.22 in FNLP) and leg press (ES 0.92 in NLP and 0.89 in FNLP) in the periodized groups—in the NP group, these values were 0.49 and 0.46, respectively. In the 6-minute walk test, aerobic fitness statistically improved in all groups—with an ES of 1.02 in the NP, 1.33 in the NLP, and 0.54 in the FNLP. This study showed that only periodization models (NLP and FNLP) induced a moderate ES in maximal strength, and all groups (NP, NLP, and FNLP) demonstrated improved aerobic fitness evaluated by V̇o2peak and the 6-minute walk test in recreationally active postmenopausal women.

14-weeks combined exercise epigenetically modulated 118 genes of menopausal women with prediabetes

“…Combined training also demonstrated benefits in functional capacity in our study, providing a time effect for the PG and NGG groups. These findings corroborated with Medeiros et al (14), demonstrating an increase in maximal and functional strength after 12 weeks of training in 58 women aged 50-75 years (34).…”

“…Combined training was performed for 14 weeks, three times a week, lasting 60 minutes. The training was divided into strength exercises (30 minutes) and aerobic training (treadmill or bicycle, with a total duration of 30 minutes) ( 14 ).…”

“…For the selection of exercises for strength training, the need to train the main muscles was considered, totaling five exercises for the muscles of the upper limbs and three exercises for the muscles of the lower limbs. Our group previously detailed the protocol ( 14 ).…”

“…One study showed that chronic physical exercise caused hypomethylation of the promoter region of the nuclear receptor factor, fatty acid transporter (SLC27A4) and GLUT4 in patients with obesity and diabetes (13). Many studies involving physical exercise and DNA methylation, as Sailani et al (14), showed that DNA methylation was lower in 714 promoter regions in physically active men compared to inactive men. Furthermore, it suggests that physical exercise is associated with the DNA methylation pattern increasing insulin sensitivity (14).…”

“…Many studies involving physical exercise and DNA methylation, as Sailani et al. ( 14 ), showed that DNA methylation was lower in 714 promoter regions in physically active men compared to inactive men. Furthermore, it suggests that physical exercise is associated with the DNA methylation pattern increasing insulin sensitivity ( 14 ).…”