title: Chronic effects of strength training vs. Hydro aerobics on functional and cardiorespiratory ability in postmenopausal women.
abstract: The current study aimed to compare the effects of two exercise programs (Strength Training and Hydro Gymnastics) on the functional and cardiorespiratory abilities of Portuguese postmenopausal women. The study population consisted of 38 volunteers (age: 66.9 ± 6.1 years, body mass: 73.70 ± 10.38 kg, and body height: 1.55 ± 0.10 m). Subjects were randomly divided into two experimental groups and one control group: one group performed 24 weeks of strength training (GST; n = 14), another performed 24 weeks of hydro gymnastics (GH; n = 17) and a control group (CG; n = 7), where the subjects continued with their regular daily activities without involvement in any physical exercise program. Three assessments were performed: before the beginning of the program, 12 weeks after the start of the training program and 24 weeks after the start of the program. To assess the functional ability of the participants, several tests proposed by Jones and Rikli (2002) were performed. To evaluate the cardiorespiratory ability of the participants, a modified treadmill Bruce test was applied. Significant differences (p<0.05) were found between the two training methods in the tests, which primarily demanded muscular strength. Body mass and the body mass index showed significant differences during the three stages of assessment in the GST group (p<0.05). With respect to the values that represent the variables of cardiorespiratory ability, positive and significant changes were observed in the two experimental groups. It was concluded that both exercise programs promoted improvements in some indicators of the functional and cardiorespiratory abilities of Portuguese postmenopausal women.
authors.affiliation: Research Center for Sports Sciences, Health & Human Development (CIDESD), Vila Real, Portugal.
authors.forename: Giovanni S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Novaes
authors.affiliation: School of Sports and Physical Education, Rio de Janeiro Federal University - UFRJ - Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Jefferson S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Novaes
authors.affiliation: Research Center for Sports Sciences, Health & Human Development (CIDESD), Vila Real, Portugal. ; Department of Sports Sciences, Exercise and Health, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal.
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vilaça-Alves
authors.affiliation: School of Sports and Physical Education, Rio de Janeiro Federal University - UFRJ - Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. ; Laboratory of Physiology and Human Performance, Department of Physical Education and Sports, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro - UFRRJ - Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Gabriel Costa E
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Research Center for Sports Sciences, Health & Human Development (CIDESD), Vila Real, Portugal. ; Department of Sports Sciences, Exercise and Health, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal.
authors.forename: Nuno D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Garrido
authors.affiliation: Castelo Branco University, Rio de Janeiro,RJ, Brasil. ; Secretaria Municipal de Envelhecimento Saudável e Qualidade de Vida, Prefeitura do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. .
authors.forename: Hélio
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Furtado
authors.affiliation: Research Center for Sports Sciences, Health & Human Development (CIDESD), Vila Real, Portugal. ; Department of Sports Sciences, Exercise and Health, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal.
authors.forename: Victor M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Reis
keywords: cardiorespiratory fitness; functional aptitude; hydro gymnastics; menopause; strength training; women