Abstract

Introduction: The risk of acute cardiovascular and thrombotic events increases after menopause. Changes in hormones, body composition and especially abnormalities in endogenous coagulation and the fibrinolysis system may play important roles in the risk of an acute cardiovascular event. Physical activity and physical fitness have consistently been linked to lower CVD rates in women. In this study we evaluated the effect of short-term aerobic training on the fibrinolytic and coagulative factors, anthropometric parameters and fat profiles in postmenopausal women. Materials and Methods: Twenty healthy postmenopausal women, aged between 48-55 years, were randomly divided into two groups, the training (n=10), and control groups (n=10). Training consisted of 10 sessions of sub-maximal aerobic cycling, 35 minutes for a 3 weeks period, 3 times a week (5 min warm up, 25 min aerobic training, and 5 min active and 15 min passive recovery). Changes in specific coagulation, fibrinolytic factors and fat profiles were assessed, both before the first, and again and before and after the 10th session of the aerobic program. Results: At the end of the training we found no statistically differences in weight and BMI (Body Mass Index) between the two groups lean body mass however increased (p=0.01) and percentage of fat decreased in the training group (p=0.05). Rest heart rate (p=0.000), systolic (p=0.004) and diastolic blood pressure (p=0.006) also decreased after training. Although after training PAI-1-Ac decreased before (p=0.05) and after (p=0.004) the 10th session, tPA-Ac showed a significant increase only after the 10th session (p=0.002). Also fibrinogen (p=0.04) and vWF-Ag, (Von Willebrand Factor), showed significant reduction before and after the 10th session (p=0.004). After training, total cholesterol (p=0.006), triglycerides (p=0.05) and LDL (p=0.03) decreased, whereas HDL (p=0.007) increased. Conclusion: In postmenopausal women aerobic training increased activity levels of fibrinolytic factors and decreased acute and permanent effects of coagulative factors. These changes in the coagulative factors and fat profiles suggest that regular sub-maximal aerobic training in postmenopausal women may prevent cardiovascular diseases.