This study tested the effect of isoflavone supplementation in addition to combined exercise training on plasma lipid levels, inflammatory markers and oxidative stress in postmenopausal women. Thirty-two healthy and non-obese postmenopausal women without hormone therapy were randomly assigned to exercise + placebo (PLA; n = 15) or exercise + isoflavone supplementation (ISO; n = 17) groups. They performed 30 sessions of combined exercises (aerobic plus resistance) over ten weeks and consumed 100 mg of isoflavone supplementation or placebo. Blood samples were collected after an overnight fast to analyze the lipid profile, interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant capacity (FRAP), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), before and after ten weeks of the intervention. There were no differences in the changes (pre vs. post) between groups for any of the inflammatory markers, oxidative stress markers or lipid profile variables. However, interleukin-8 was different between pre- and post-tests (p < 0.001) in both groups (Δ = 7.61 and 5.61 pg/mL) as were cholesterol levels (p < 0.05), with no interaction between groups. The combination of isoflavone supplementation and exercise training did not alter oxidative stress markers in postmenopausal women, but exercise training alone may increase IL-8 and decrease total cholesterol levels.

Objective To determine if there is a correlation between body mass index (BMI) and climacteric symptoms in postmenopausal women. Methods The study sample was composed of 109 postmenopausal women with a mean age of 57 ± 8 years, mean body mass index (BMI) of 30 ± 6 kg/m², and 8 ± 8 years after menopause. For the assessment of the climacteric symptoms, the Blatt-Kupperman Index (BKI), the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS), and the Cervantes Scale (CS) were used. Data analysis was performed through the Chi-squared test, analysis of variance (ANOVA) with the Bonferroni post hoc test, and multiple linear regression. The level of significance adopted was of p < 0.05. The statistical analyses were performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, United States) software, version 26.0. Results The multiple linear regression showed a positive association (p < 0.01) between BMI values and menopause symptoms when adjusted for age and time after menopause in the 3 questionnaires used (BKI: B = 0.432; CS: B = 304; and MRS: B = 302). Regarding symptom scores, the obese women had higher mean scores (p < 0.05) when compared to eutrophic women (BKI = 28 ± 10 and 20 ± 10; and MRS = 20 ± 10 and 13 ± 7, respectively). In the Chi-squared analysis, 28% of obese women had severe symptoms and 46% had moderate symptoms, while only 1% and 46% of eutrophic women had these same symptoms. Conclusion There is an association between BMI and climacteric symptoms, and overweight or obese women have more intense and moderate symptoms than eutrophic women. Objetivo Verificar se há correlação entre o índice de massa corporal e os sintomas do climatério em mulheres na pós-menopausa. Métodos Participaram do estudo 109 mulheres na pós-menopausa, com idade média de 57 ± 8 anos, índice de massa corporal (IMC) médio de 30 ± 6 kg/m² e 8 ± 8 anos após a menopausa. Para a avaliação dos sintomas climatéricos, foram utilizados os questionários específicos para essa população: Índice de Kupperman-Blatt (IKB), Menopause Rating Scale (MRS), e Escala de Cervantes (EC). A análise dos dados foi realizada por meio do teste do chi-quadrado, análise de variância (analysis of variance, ANOVA, em inglês) com o teste post hoc de Bonferroni e regressão linear múltipla. O nível de significância adotado foi p < 0,05. Todas as análises estatísticas foram realizadas no programa Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, Estados Unidos), versão 26.0. Resultados A regressão linear múltipla mostrou associação positiva (p < 0,01) entre os valores do IMC e os sintomas do climatério quando ajustados pela idade e pelo tempo após a menopausa nos 3 questionários utilizados (IKB: B = 0,432; CE: B = 304; e MRS: B = 302). Quanto às pontuações dos sintomas, as mulheres com obesidade apresentaram médias maiores (p < 0,05) quando comparadas às mulheres eutróficas (IKB = 28 ± 10 e 20 ± 10; e MRS = 20 ± 10 e 13 ± 7). Na análise pelo chi-quadrado 28% das mulheres obesas apresentaram sintomas graves, e 46%, moderados, ao passo que apenas 1% e 46% das eutrópicas apresentavam esses mesmos sintomas. Conclusão Há uma associação entre IMC e sintomas climatéricos, e mulheres com sobrepeso ou obesidade apresentam sintomas mais intensos e moderados do que mulheres eutróficas. Juliene Costa: conceptualization, methodology, investigation, writing of the (original draft, and formal analysis. Raquel Rodrigues: investigation, writing of the original draft, review and editing, and data curation. Guilherme Puga: formal analysis, methodology, review and editing, and data curation. Nádia Cheik: conceptualization, supervision, formal analysis, project administration, and review and editing. Received: 15 April 2021 Accepted: 03 February 2022 Article published online: 12 July 2022 © 2022. Federação Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Thieme Revinter Publicações Ltda. Rua do Matoso 170, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 20270-135, Brazil

In military, workplace, and sporting settings, challenging environmental conditions while performing external workloads are not always avoidable. We assessed sex differences during a 90-min treadmill walk (40°C). Males produced more metabolic heat, had higher skin blood flow, sweat rate, and cardiac output than females. Change in core temperature remained similar between sexes, challenging the proposition that women are more heat-intolerant than men. Our findings underscore the need for tailored heat tolerance strategies for both sexes.

Physical exercise and isoflavone supplementation are potential strategies to prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases in postmenopausal women. The aim of this study was to investigate whether there are additive effects of isoflavone supplementation when associated with combined aerobic and resistance exercise on resting and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) and in blood pressure variability (BPV). Thirty-one non-obese postmenopausal women were randomly allocated into two groups: placebo and exercise (Placebo n = 19); and isoflavone supplementation (100 mg/day) and exercise (isoflavone n = 19). ABPM and BPV were evaluated before and after 10 weeks of moderate combined (aerobic and resistance) exercise training. Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) with Bonferroni correction and intention-to-treat analysis was used to compare the effects of interventions on resting BP, ABPM and BPV. Combined exercise training decreased resting systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and reduced 24 h and awake ambulatory SBP, DBP and mean blood pressure over time, with no additional effects of isoflavone supplementation. No changes were observed in sleep period, or in BPV indexes (Standard Deviation of 24 h (SD), daytime and nighttime interval (SDdn) and average real variability (ARV) in both groups. We conclude that isoflavone supplementation does not potentiate the effects of combined training on resting and ambulatorial systolic and diastolic blood pressure in non-obese postmenopausal women.

Aim: This study aimed to verify and compare the effects of 10 weeks of combined exercise training on the heart rate variability of normotensive (NT) and hypertensive (HT) postmenopausal women. Methods: This is a quasi-experimental controlled clinical trial. Therefore, 14 HT and 12 NT postmenopausal women completed 10 weeks of combined exercise training. The exercise protocol consisted of 45 min of exercise, performed 3 times a week, consisting of 5 min of warm-up, 20 min of resistance exercise, and 20 min of aerobic exercise. Heart rate variability assessments were performed before and after the end of physical training. Results: Heart rate variability was assessed pre- and post-training periods. Mean RR (δNT = 95 ± 88; δHT = 38 ± 127), SDNN (δNT = 9 ± 13; δHT = 3 ± 14), RMSSD (δNT = 10 ± 12; δHT = 2 ± 18), SD1 (δNT = 7 ± 8; δHT = 1 ± 13), and SD2 (δNT = 10 ± 18; δHT = 4 ± 17) showed improvements after the intervention (time effects p < 0.05). No parameters presented group or interaction effects (p ≥ 0.05). Conclusion: In summary, 10 weeks of combined exercise training improved heart rate variability parameters similarly in both NT and HT postmenopausal women. Therefore, combined exercise training may be used to improve autonomic modulation of the heart rate of postmenopausal women, regardless of the presence of hypertension.

This study compared the effects of Mat Pilates training on cardiovascular risk markers in postmenopausal women with single or multiple cardiometabolic conditions. Forty-four women were divided into single-condition (SINGLE; n = 20) and multiple-condition (MULTI; n = 24) groups. Both groups completed Mat Pilates three times per week for 12 weeks. Measurements of resting blood pressure, body composition, dietary intake, and blood markers were taken before and after the intervention. A Generalized Estimating Equation was used for hypothesis testing. MULTI presented higher body mass, BMI, fat mass, and waist circumference. Systolic blood pressure decreased more in SINGLE (−13 ± 15 mmHg) than in MULTI (−3 ± 16 mmHg, p interaction = 0.016 with diastolic reductions in both groups (SINGLE: −9 ± 12 mmHg; MULTI: −2 ± 11 mmHg, p interaction = 0.053). Triglycerides decreased only in SINGLE (−40 ± 98 mg/dL vs. +31 ± 70 mg/dL in MULTI, p interaction = 0.006), while no significant changes were observed in cholesterol levels. Adiponectin levels decreased in both groups (SINGLE: −1.5 ± 16.3; MULTI: −9.3 ± 12.4 vs. µg/dL, p time = 0.015). Glycated hemoglobin levels decreased over time in both groups (−0.3 ± 0.5% in SINGLE, −0.5 ± 0.6% in MULTI, p time < 0.001), with no significant changes in blood glucose. These findings suggest that Mat Pilates may be more effective in reducing cardiometabolic risk factors in women with a single condition compared to those with multiple conditions.