Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.21860/medflum2021_264897
Effect of exercise on handgrip and anthropometric characteristics in postmenopausal women – longitudinal study
Sara Frank Radošević
orcid.org/0000-0001-7922-1858
; Katedra za temeljne medicinske znanosti, Fakultet zdravstvenih studija Sveučilišta u Rijeci, Rijeka, Hrvatska
Gordana Starčević-Klasan
orcid.org/0000-0001-7252-2340
; Katedra za temeljne medicinske znanosti, Fakultet zdravstvenih studija Sveučilišta u Rijeci, Rijeka, Hrvatska
Abstract
Aim: The present study examined the effects of a 9 months exercise program on the handgrip strength and anthropometric parameters in postmenopausal women. Participants and methods: The study included 122 postmenopausal women divided into the exercise group (n=94) and the control group (n=28). Each participant was assessed prior and after 9 months of rhe exercise program performed. The control group was tested only once. Anthropometric parameters including body height, body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist and hip circumferences, and waist to hip ratio (WHR), as well as the handgrip strength were measured. Results: According to the results of this study, the participants included in the exercise program showed a significant difference between BMI (p<0.05) and WHR (p<0.05) compared to the measurement performed at the beginning of exercise. Also, statistically significant differences (p<0.05) were found in the handgrip strength between the first and second measurements. The right handgrip strength at the end of the exercise program was 26.03±5.04 kg, which is significantly higher compared to the first measurement of 24.51±5.68 kg. In addition, the left handgrip strength after the second measurement was 24.7±5.11 kg, which is significantly higher compared to the first measurement of 23.39±5.77 kg. Conclusion: Results suggest that a 9-month exercise program leads to an improvement in the handgrip strength. Furthermore, a significant difference between BMI and WHR was found in all participants at the end of the exercise program, which indicates a positive impact of resistance exercise on the anthropometric characteristics of postmenopausal women.
Keywords
body mass index; hand strength; menopause; waist hip ratio
Hrčak ID:
264897
URI
Publication date:
1.12.2021.
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