Listen up, ladies! Is one of your New Year’s resolutions to exercise more in 2016? A recent study on the effect of exercise on body composition in postmenopausal women may provide all the motivation you need.
It’s no secret that exercise is good for you, regardless of your age. However, a recent study from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, which was presented at the annual meeting of The North American Menopause Society (NAMS), demonstrates that some types of physical activity have greater impact on body composition in postmenopausal women compared to premenopausal women.
On average, women who have reached menopause have higher BMIs, larger waist circumferences and higher percentages of body fat than women who have not gone through menopause. The good news is that postmenopausal women may have more control over their body composition than their premenopausal counterparts since their body is more impacted by light physical activity, such as walking or yard work. On the other hand, postmenopausal women also tend to be more impacted by sedentary behavior.
A total of 630 premenopausal women and 274 postmenopausal women participated in this study. Accelerometers were used to estimate the amount of time participants spent in various types of physical activity and sedentary periods. The data demonstrated that the postmenopausal women, on average, exhibited less total movement and more sedentary time throughout the day than premenopausal women. Also, as expected, higher total movement and physical activity were associated with a lower BMI, waist circumference and percent body fat, but not to the same extent in both groups. Light physical activity had a significantly greater positive impact on the body composition of postmenopausal women compared to premenopausal women. Researchers also found that sedentary behavior had a greater impact on waist circumference in postmenopausal women compared to premenopausal women.
Bottom Line: Regular exercise touts many benefits for women of all ages, including increased energy and improved bone density. As women go through menopause, physiological changes may lead to a decreased motivation to exercise. This study sends an important message that every little bit makes a difference -- especially as we age. And remember, a light, fifteen-minute workout is always better than not doing one at all.
Source
Visit Wellness Workdays for more information about our worksite wellness programs
It’s no secret that exercise is good for you, regardless of your age. However, a recent study from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, which was presented at the annual meeting of The North American Menopause Society (NAMS), demonstrates that some types of physical activity have greater impact on body composition in postmenopausal women compared to premenopausal women.
On average, women who have reached menopause have higher BMIs, larger waist circumferences and higher percentages of body fat than women who have not gone through menopause. The good news is that postmenopausal women may have more control over their body composition than their premenopausal counterparts since their body is more impacted by light physical activity, such as walking or yard work. On the other hand, postmenopausal women also tend to be more impacted by sedentary behavior.
A total of 630 premenopausal women and 274 postmenopausal women participated in this study. Accelerometers were used to estimate the amount of time participants spent in various types of physical activity and sedentary periods. The data demonstrated that the postmenopausal women, on average, exhibited less total movement and more sedentary time throughout the day than premenopausal women. Also, as expected, higher total movement and physical activity were associated with a lower BMI, waist circumference and percent body fat, but not to the same extent in both groups. Light physical activity had a significantly greater positive impact on the body composition of postmenopausal women compared to premenopausal women. Researchers also found that sedentary behavior had a greater impact on waist circumference in postmenopausal women compared to premenopausal women.
Bottom Line: Regular exercise touts many benefits for women of all ages, including increased energy and improved bone density. As women go through menopause, physiological changes may lead to a decreased motivation to exercise. This study sends an important message that every little bit makes a difference -- especially as we age. And remember, a light, fifteen-minute workout is always better than not doing one at all.
Source
Visit Wellness Workdays for more information about our worksite wellness programs
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