Comparison of performance and health indicators between perimenopausal and postmenopausal obese women: the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT)

Abstract Objective: This study examined the effects of 6 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on performance and health indicators in obese perimenopausal (PERIM) women and similarly aged and older postmenopausal women (POSTM1 and POSTM2, respectively). Methods: Sixteen PERIM women (average age 49.6 y), 21 POSTM1 women (average age 50.6 y), and 19 POSTM2 women (average age 69.6 y) completed a 6-week HIIT intervention. Anthropometric parameters, mechanical efficiency (ME in %), lipid oxidation (LO in %), and low and high spectral frequencies (LF[ms 2 ] and HF[ms 2 ]) were computed pre- and postintervention. Results: PERIM women showed a significantly higher VO2max preintervention compared to POSTM1 and 2 ( P < 0.01). Moreover, HF, LF, and the LF/HF ratio differed significantly in PERIM women preintervention compared to POSTM1 and 2 ( P < 0.01, respectively). After 6 weeks, a significant decrease in anthropometric variables was observed for all groups ( P < 0.01). The VO2max in mL/kg/min increased for all groups ( P < 0.01). Multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that age contributed significantly to differences in VO2max values between groups preintervention ( r = 0.72). This model accounted for 34% (r2 = 0.34) of the variation. On the other hand, menopause status was an independent predictor of LO, accounting for 38% of the variation, as well as of HF (33%), LF (29%), and the LF/HF ratio (24%). After HIIT, no age or menopause effect was detected for these independent variables. Conclusions: Maximal oxygen consumption, HF, LF, and the LF/HF ratio differ among women according to the menopausal status and age. A 6-week HIIT intervention improved many health and performance parameters and reduced the effects of menopause and age.