The effect of interval training on cardiometabolic health markers in postmenopausal women: a systematic review with meta-analysis

Document Type : Review Article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Sport Sciences, School of Humanities, University of Kashan, Kashan, Iran.

2 PhD in Exercise Physiology, School of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Guilan, Guilan, Iran.

3 M.Sc. Student in Sport Sciences, School of Humanities, University of Kashan, Kashan, Iran.

10.22038/ijogi.2025.84592.6292

Abstract

Introduction: Exercise training has an effective role in improving cardiometabolic health markers in postmenopausal women. However, the effect of interval training has not been clearly established. The present meta-analysis study was conducted with aim to investigate the effects of interval training on cardiometabolic health markers in postmenopausal women.
Methods: This systematic search was conducted in the databases of PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, Magiran, and Normagz for English and Persian articles published up to December 13, 2023. The standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to determine the effect size of interval training on glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, TG, TC, HDL, and LDL markers. Also, subgroup analysis was performed based on the type of interval training, including high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and speed interval training (SIT).
Results: In this meta-analysis, 12 studies with 322 subjects were reviewed. The results showed that interval training significantly reduced TG (p=0.005, Cl: -0.14 to -0.79, SMD= -0.46). Subgroup analysis based on the type of interval training showed that HIIT significantly reduced glucose levels (6 interventions, SMD: -0.57, p=0.01), TG (10 interventions, SMD: -0.54, p=0.009), TC (10 interventions, SMD: -0.59, p=0.04), and LDL (10 interventions, SMD: -0.59, p=0.04). While the effects of SIT on reducing the values of these factors were not significant.
Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that HIIT can effectively improve glycemic and lipid profiles and may be an effective strategy for improving cardiometabolic health markers in postmenopausal women.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility
Volume 27, Issue 12
February 2025
Pages 61-78

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