Circuit Training for Postmenopausal Women

Overseen By Everett Lohman, Dsc

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Loma Linda University

Must not be taking: Corticosteroids, Immunosuppressants

Disqualifiers: Cardiovascular disease, Orthopedic restrictions, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 27

Duration: 8 weeks

46 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if circuit strength training (also known as short-term circuit training) can improve the physical and emotional health of postmenopausal women. Participants in the exercise group will work out three times a week for eight weeks, while the control group will maintain their usual sedentary lifestyle. Women who have not menstruated for at least a year and are not currently following a structured exercise program may be suitable candidates. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to research that could enhance well-being for postmenopausal women.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial requires that participants do not regularly use medications that could affect the study outcomes, like corticosteroids or immunosuppressants. If you are taking such medications, you may need to stop them to participate.

What prior data suggests that circuit training is safe for postmenopausal women?

Research shows that circuit training is generally safe for postmenopausal women. Previous studies have demonstrated that this type of exercise can boost muscle strength without causing serious side effects. For instance, one study found that older women who engaged in circuit training experienced increased muscle strength and improved metabolism without any major problems. Another study reported moderate to large improvements in arm strength among older women, again without significant safety issues.

Circuit training involves performing different exercises consecutively with little rest in between. Past research has shown that participants tolerate this type of exercise well, indicating it is a safe way to enhance physical fitness. While every exercise program carries some risk of injury, studies suggest that the benefits of circuit training for postmenopausal women generally outweigh these risks. Participants often report feeling stronger and healthier after completing a training program. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about short-term circuit training for postmenopausal women because it offers a dynamic and engaging way to improve fitness without the need for medication or supplements. Unlike traditional treatments that might focus on hormone replacement or dietary changes, this approach emphasizes physical activity, which can enhance cardiovascular health and muscle strength. The regimen is straightforward, requiring just three 45-minute sessions a week for eight weeks, making it accessible and manageable for many women. This method not only targets physical health but also has the potential to boost mood and overall well-being, setting it apart from more passive treatment options.

What evidence suggests that short-term circuit training is effective for postmenopausal women?

This trial will compare the effects of circuit training with a non-exercise approach for postmenopausal women. Studies have shown that circuit training greatly benefits their physical health. Research indicates that this exercise improves muscle strength and enhances the heart and lungs' ability to function during activity. One study found that circuit training strengthens both the upper and lower body, with more noticeable improvements in the lower body. Additionally, circuit training increases muscle mass and boosts metabolism, helping to reduce body fat and body mass index (BMI). These findings suggest that circuit training could effectively improve the overall physical well-being of postmenopausal women. ^{2 5 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Everett Lohman, DSc

Principal Investigator

Loma Linda University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for sedentary postmenopausal women aged 50-75 who haven't done structured exercise in the last six months. They must be physically able to do exercises and not take certain medications or have health conditions that would make exercising unsafe.

Inclusion Criteria

I am a woman aged between 50 and 75 years.

No engagement in structured resistance or aerobic training programs in the six months preceding the study

I can take part in physical exercise programs.

Exclusion Criteria

Classification as moderate and highly active on the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) (600-3000 MET-minutes/week for 'moderate' and higher than 3000 MET-minutes/week for 'high' score)

I do not have health conditions that prevent me from exercising safely.

I am not on medication that could affect the study results.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

Baseline Testing

Participants undergo initial data collection and basic tests, including informed consent and blood collection

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Experimental group participates in circuit strength training sessions three times a week for 8 weeks; control group maintains sedentary lifestyle

8 weeks

24 visits (in-person) for exercise group

Post-Treatment Testing

All participants undergo a second round of data collection to assess changes

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Short-term Circuit Training

Trial Overview The study is testing how short-term circuit training affects muscle mass and quality of life in these women compared to no exercise at all. It aims to provide evidence on whether this type of workout can improve their physical and mental well-being.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Exercise Group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

This group will perform exercises three times a week for eight weeks, with each session lasting approximately 45 minutes.

Group II: Non-Exercise Group Active Control 1 Intervention

This group will maintain their sedentary lifestyle and will not make any changes to their diet or activity levels during this period

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Loma Linda University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

322

Recruited

267,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A 4-week circuit aerobic step exercise program significantly improved bone formation, muscle strength, and body balance in 52 postmenopausal women, indicating its effectiveness as a targeted exercise for this demographic.

Participants in the exercise group experienced a notable decrease in resting heart rate and bone resorption, suggesting enhanced cardiovascular health and reduced bone loss, which are critical for preventing falls and fractures in postmenopausal women.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of Circuit Aerobic Step Exercise Program on Musculoskeletal for Prevention of Falling and Enhancement of Postural Balance in Postmenopausal Women. Anek, A., Bunyaratavej, N.[2015]

In a study of 45 postmenopausal women, 12 weeks of resistance training significantly improved cardiovascular risk factors, including reductions in body mass index, heart rate, and systolic blood pressure.

The training also enhanced estimated peak VO2 and lowered total cholesterol levels, indicating that resistance exercises can be an effective strategy for improving heart health in postmenopausal women.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effects of resistance training on cardiovascular disease risk factors in postmenopausal women: a randomized-controlled trial. Gelecek, N., Ilçin, N., Subaşi, SS., et al.[2013]

Combined circuit weight-interval training (CWIT) significantly increased blood lactate levels, heart rate, and perceived exertion compared to traditional circuit weight training (TRAD) and aerobic circuit weight training (ACWT), indicating a greater cardiovascular demand and intensity during workouts.

In a study involving 11 recreationally active women over 7 sessions, CWIT was shown to enhance fitness benefits and time-efficiency more effectively than traditional training methods, suggesting it could be a superior option for maximizing workout results.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Acute effects of three different circuit weight training protocols on blood lactate, heart rate, and rating of perceived exertion in recreationally active women. Skidmore, BL., Jones, MT., Blegen, M., et al.[2021]

A 12-month exercise program combining step aerobic and circuit training effectively prevented bone loss at the femoral neck in premenopausal breast cancer survivors, with a significant difference in bone mineral density changes compared to the control group.

In contrast, the same exercise intervention did not show any significant effect on bone mineral density in postmenopausal women, indicating that menopausal status plays a crucial role in the effectiveness of exercise for bone health after breast cancer treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of supervised and home exercise training on bone mineral density among breast cancer patients. A 12-month randomised controlled trial. Saarto, T., Sievänen, H., Kellokumpu-Lehtinen, P., et al.[2021]

Both high-intensity strength training (ST) and circuit weight training (CWT) significantly improved muscular strength and cardiorespiratory fitness in postmenopausal women after 24 weeks, with ST showing greater overall improvements.

Neither training method resulted in changes in bone mineral density (BMD), indicating that while strength and fitness levels improved, bone health may require different interventions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Physiological adaptations to strength and circuit training in postmenopausal women with bone loss. Brentano, MA., Cadore, EL., Da Silva, EM., et al.[2022]

Both low-load circuit resistance training and traditional aerobic training led to significant reductions in body fat and serum lipid levels in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome, with no significant differences between the two training modalities.

After 6 months of training, neither group showed changes in insulin resistance or inflammatory markers, indicating that while body fat and cholesterol levels improved, insulin sensitivity remained unchanged.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of Two Training Modalities on Body Fat and Insulin Resistance in Postmenopausal Women. Henríquez, S., Monsalves-Alvarez, M., Jimenez, T., et al.[2018]

A systematic review of 28 randomized controlled trials involving 2646 postmenopausal women suggests that a combination of 30 minutes of daily moderate walking and resistance training twice a week can significantly improve health-related fitness components such as body composition, bone density, and muscle strength.

The exercise program is feasible for sedentary individuals and can be easily integrated into daily life, with initial professional guidance recommended for resistance training, which can later be done at home with minimal equipment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Exercise for health for early postmenopausal women: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials. Asikainen, TM., Kukkonen-Harjula, K., Miilunpalo, S.[2022]

A study involving 141 early postmenopausal women showed that a 1-year resistance training program significantly increased bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar spine, with increases of +0.43% for non-HRT users and +0.70% for HRT users, demonstrating the efficacy of exercise in preventing bone loss.

Resistance training was found to be as effective as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in preventing bone loss, and combining HRT with resistance training did not provide additional benefits, suggesting that exercise alone can be a powerful strategy for maintaining bone health in postmenopausal women.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effects of hormone replacement therapy and resistance training on spine bone mineral density in early postmenopausal women. Maddalozzo, GF., Widrick, JJ., Cardinal, BJ., et al.[2013]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2892016/

Resistance Training Predicts Six-Year Body Composition ... We conclude that resistance training is a viable long-term method to prevent weight gain and deleterious changes in body composition in postmenopausal women.

2. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2025.1540983/full

The effects of circuit hydraulic weight interval training on ... In middle-aged and older women, CT for 12 weeks significantly increased fat-free mass, improved basic metabolism, and reduced BMI and adipose ...

3. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18978624/

Physiological adaptations to strength and circuit training in ... Our results suggest that ST and circuit training positively affect postmenopausal women's muscular strength, muscular activation, and cardiorespiratory fitness.

4. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1568163717300223

Review Circuit resistance training is an effective means to ... Upper body strength modestly increased, by 1.14 kg (95% CI; 0.28–2.00), whereas larger increment was seen in lower body strength (11.99; 2.92–21.06). Higher ...

5. bmcwomenshealth.biomedcentral.com bmcwomenshealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12905-022-01900-0

Postmenopausal women's experiences of a resistance ... The 15-week resistance-training program was designed to activate all major muscle groups and result in improved muscle strength and hypertrophy.

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3526879/

Effects of circuit-based exercise programs on the body ... The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of circuit-based exercise on the body composition in obese older women by focusing on physical exercise ...

7. ctv.veeva.com ctv.veeva.com/study/short-term-circuit-training-on-muscle-mass-and-quality-of-life-in-sedentary-postmenopausal-women

Short-term Circuit Training on Muscle Mass and Quality of Life ... A randomized controlled trial design will investigate the effects of circuit training on the following dependent variables: muscle mass, strength, inflammatory ...

8. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41598-024-59386-9

Effect of resistance circuit training on comprehensive ... In postmenopausal older women, resistance circuit training has demonstrated moderate to large favorable effects on the strength of the arms ( ...