Intermittent Walking Training and Cardiometabolic Health in Premenopausal and Postmenopausal Women

Effects of a 10-Week Moderate-Intensity Intermittent Walking Training Program on Aerobic Capacity, Cardiometabolic Risk Factors, and Inflammatory Markers in Premenopausal and Postmenopausal Women

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare premenopausal and postmenopausal women regarding the effects of a 10-week moderate-intensity intermittent walking training (MIWT) program on aerobic capacity and selected cardiometabolic and inflammatory markers. The main question it aims to answer is: Does a MIWT program induce differential improvements in aerobic capacity, body composition, lipid profile, and inflammatory markers between premenopausal and postmenopausal women?

Participants in the premenopausal group will perform a 10-week MIWT program, three sessions per week. Participants in the postmenopausal group will perform the same 10-week MIWT program, three sessions per week. Each training session consists of 5 repetitions of 6-minute walking (6MWT) at 60-80% of the baseline 6MWT distance, interspersed by 6 minutes of active recovery between repetitions. Body composition, aerobic capacity (6-minute walk test), heart rate, blood pressure, lipid profile (total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, triglycerides), and C-reactive protein (CRP) will be assessed before and after the intervention in both groups.

In premenopausal and postmenopausal women, differences in cardiometabolic profile, body composition, and aerobic capacity are commonly observed, with postmenopausal women generally presenting higher cardiometabolic risk. Regular physical activity is known to improve these parameters; however, the specific effects of moderate-intensity intermittent walking training (MIWT) on the comparison between premenopausal and postmenopausal women remain insufficiently explored.

The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of a 10-week moderate-intensity intermittent walking training (MIWT) program on aerobic capacity, body composition, cardiometabolic risk factors, and inflammatory markers in premenopausal and postmenopausal women.

Thirty-two women were allocated into a premenopausal group (n = 16) and a postmenopausal group (n = 16). Both groups performed a MIWT program three times per week for 10 weeks. Each training session consisted of 5 repetitions of 6-minute walking (6-minute walk test, 6MWT) performed at 60-80% of the baseline 6MWT distance, interspersed by 6 minutes of active recovery between repetitions.

Body composition, aerobic capacity (6MWT), heart rate, blood pressure, lipid profile (total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, triglycerides), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were assessed before and after the intervention in both groups to evaluate changes induced by the training program.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Women aged 32 to 43 years (premenopausal, with regular menstrual cycles for at least 12 months) or 49 to 65 years (postmenopausal, with absence of menstruation for at least 12 months).

Body mass index (BMI) > 24.9 kg/m².

• For the postmenopausal group: amenorrhea ≥ 12 months.
• For the premenopausal group: regular menstrual cycles for at least 12 months.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Cardiovascular diseases (hypertension, heart failure).
• Presence of metabolic or inflammatory disorders (e.g., uncontrolled diabetes, autoimmune diseases, active infections).