Effect of Time-restricted Eating on Cognitive Function and Other Biopsychosocial Factors in Menopausal Women Undertaking a 12-week Exercise Programme

Effect of Time-restricted Eating on Cognitive Function and Other Biopsychosocial Factors in Menopausal Women Undertaking a 12-week Exercise Programme

The goal of this quasi-experimental study is to test effect of time-restricted eating on cognitive function and other biopsychosocial factors in menopausal women undertaking a 12-week exercise programme. The main questions to answer are:

1. What is effect of time-restricted eating on cognitive function in menopausal women undertaking a 12-week exercise programme?
2. What is effect of time-restricted eating on menopausal symptoms in menopausal women undertaking a 12-weeks exercise programme?
3. What is effect of time-restricted eating on metabolic health parameters in menopausal women undertaking a 12-weeks exercise programme?

Participants of both groups will have moderate intensity circuit mixed endurance and resistance exercise programme two times per week for 55 minutes for 12 weeks. Participants of one of two groups will not only exercise but also have a time-restricted eating following 16:8 protocol for 12 weeks.

Participants will have pre-tests and post-tests:

• blood samples collection (to measure level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, glial cell derived neurotrophic factor, insulin, glucose, lipid profile),
• body composition analysis,
• Stroop test and N-back test,
• electroencephalography using Emotiv Epic X devices,
• One-repetition maximum test, Ruffier test,
• Questionnaire assessment (using Menopause Rating Scale and The Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire).

Researchers will compare two groups - exercise group and combination group which will do both time-restricted eating and exercise to see if there is a modulating effect of time-restricted eating in participants undertaking exercise.

Inclusion Criteria:

• perimenopause, menopause or post-menopause
• lightly physically active or physically inactive

Exclusion Criteria:

• using hormone replacement therapy or hormonal contraception
• having significant contraindications to physical exercise or time-restricted eating