What was the study asking?

What effect does regular physical activity have on postmenopausal women’s cardiovascular, bone, and body composition health?

What did they find?

An analysis of the current evidence found that in post-menopausal women:

• regular exercise reduces overall and cardiovascular death.
• weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercise improve and help maintain bone health (bone mineral density and prevents fractures).
• regular endurance and muscle-strengthening exercise reduced visceral fat and ameliorated age-associated muscle mass loss.

Tip: these effects were all observed with the regular exercise done for 3 months or more and it was noted that maintaining such health benefits required regular exercise to be maintained long-term.

What is the take-home message?

Regular exercise reduced cardiovascular disease mortality, decreased visceral fat, and improved bone health and muscle strength.