RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT07022340

Hemodynamics After Resistance Training

Investigating Resistance Training for Vascular Function and Quality of Life in Perimenopausal Women

Sponsor

University of Michigan

Enrollment

50 participants

Start Date

Jun 6, 2025

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Perimenopause

Summary

Women's blood vessel health gets worse after menopause, or "the change of life". Some women exercise less during menopause. Exercise can improve blood vessel health. The investigators want to know if resistance exercise, like lifting weights, can improve blood vessel health in women who are just starting menopause. The investigators also want to know if lifting weights can improve mood, sleep, and quality of life in women going through menopause. The investigators will have two groups of women for this study. One group will lift weights (do resistance exercise) twice per week, and the other group will get emails with information about menopause. The investigators will measure blood vessel health, sleep, mood, and menopause symptoms at the start and the end of this study and compare women who did and did not exercise.

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEMin Age: 40 YearsMax Age: 60 Years

Inclusion Criteria14

Are between 40-60 years old
Have had menstrual irregularities in the last 12 months
Do not currently complete more than two 30-min sessions of structured exercise per week and do not do any resistance training exercise;
Are not currently pregnant
Do not smoke or vape nicotine or marijuana
Have not had an oophorectomy, hysterectomy, or surgical menopause
Are not currently taking hormone replacement therapy
Have not taken hormone replacement therapy in the last 6 months
Are not taking steroidal medication or medication to treat diabetes, cholesterol, or high blood pressure
Are able to exercise - your doctor has not told you that you cannot exercise
Can attend a morning study visit at the University of Michigan's School of Kinesiology Building
Are willing to avoid food 2 hours prior to the morning study visit
Are willing to avoid strenuous exercise, caffeine, and alcohol, 8 hours prior to the morning study visit
Are willing to participate in an exercise training program or health education program for 16 weeks

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Interventions

BEHAVIORALResistance Training Intervention

Participants will complete a brief aerobic warm-up and dynamic stretching prior to each strength training session. Participants will complete 9 exercises for all major muscle groups. Strength testing at the baseline study visit will be used to determine initial load. Participants will complete 1 set of moderate-intensity loads (\~50% maximum and \~12 repetitions) in week 1, 2 sets in week 2, and 3 sets in week 3. By week 4, participants will be completing 3 sets at 60% of maximum. Weight loads will be progressively increased so volitional fatigue is reached by 8-12 repetitions/set.