The Effect of short-term aerobic exercise and green tea consumption on MFO, Fatmax, body composition and lipid profile in sedentary postmenopausal women

Background: Visceral fat accumulation due to the decrease in estrogen levels, and gaining weight after menopause, increases the risk of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases in postmenopausal women; While physical activity at Fatmax and green tea consumption are recommended for increasing fat oxidation. Methods: 24 sedentary postmenopausal women were divided into two groups: exercise+supplemnet and exercise+placebo. Exercise tests were performed by gas analyzer device and blood samples were collected after 12 hours of fasting overnight in pre and post test phases. The supplement group had a daily intake of 1200 mg of green tea extract in capsule form. The training Protocol contained two weeks of aerobic exercise at an intensity of about maximum fat oxidation which was performed four times a week and each session took 40 to 50 minutes. Results: After two weeks, the amounts of weight, body mass index, waist to hip ratio, average total carbohydrate oxidation and HDL were significantly decreased in both groups (p≤0.05). The peak oxygen consumption, maximum fat oxidation, Fatmax and the average total fat oxidation increased but were not significant (p>0.05). Triglyceride (P=0.003) and visceral fat levels (P=0.044) only declined significantly in exercise+placebo group and LDL levels (P=0.043) only increased in exercise+supplement, significantly. Fat percentage also decreased in two groups which was not significant (p>0.05). Conclusions: Short-term aerobic exercise at Fatmax, alone and along with green tea consumption, reduced body weight and improved average total carbohydrate oxidation in sedentary postmenopausal women and aerobic exercise with green tea was more effective in reducing triglycerides and visceral fat levels.