EFFICACY OF AEROBIC AND CORE EXERCISE TRAINING ON IMPROVING MUSCLE MASS AND PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN WITH SARCOPENIC OBESITY

Abstract

Background & Objective: Sarcopenia and obesity may interact and have a synergistic effect, lead to negative
health outcomes such as increased prevalence of chronic diseases and functional decline, which resulting in frailty,
poor quality of life, physical disability, and death. Exercise and nutrition remain the cornerstone for good health,
treat or prevention of sarcopenia. So, this study had been conducted to determine the efficacy of aerobic and core
exercise training on improving muscle mass and physical performance in postmenopausal women with sarcopenic
obesity. Methods: Randomized controlled trial.Forty postmenopausal women with sarcopenic obesity, aged from 55
to 65 years participated in this study. They were randomly assigned into two groups: Control group consisted of 20
patients. They followed low caloric diet (1200 kcal/day) for 3 months and they were encouraged to perform physical
activity in the form of walking for 30 mins 3 times/week. Study group consisted of 20 patients. They followed the
same low caloric diet (1200 kcal/day) for 3 months and performing physical activity in the form of walking for 30
mins 3 times/week in addition to core exercises for 3 session / week for 3 months. Dietary program was modified
every week for all women in both groups. Assessment was performed before the start and after the end of the
treatment program. All participants in both groups were assessed for weight, BMI, waist circumference, waist/hip
ratio, muscle mass, gait speed, hand grip and chair stand. Results: Comparison betweenthe control and the study
groups showed an improvement following treatment in both groups. This improvement showed a non-significant
difference in BMI, waist circumference, muscle mass, gait speed and chair stand with p-value (p=0.66), (p=0.91),
(p=0.58), (p=0.48) and (p=0.10) respectively. The results showed a statistical significant increase (p=0.007) in hand
grip favoring the study group. Conclusion:Following low caloric diet, physical activity and core exercises can
improve BMI, waist circumference, physical performance and prevent or treat SO. Core exercises has a beneficial
effect on increase hand grip in SO Postmenopausal Women.