Changes in morphology and strength following an eight week resistance training programme in post-menopausal, Caucasian women: a pilot investigation

The purpose of the current investigation was to determine the impact of eight weeks of progressive resistance exercise on strength and morphology of previously sedentary, healthy, post-menopausal women. Six women were recruited from the Grahamstown community in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Recruits were required to attend five sessions per week (Monday to Friday) of 30 minute duration each. Eight ‘compound’ resistance exercises (each completed as three sets of 10 repetitions) comprised the exercise programme. Anthropometric (body mass and stature), morphological (body mass index (BMI), lean mass, and fat mass content), and strength (upper and lower body) measures were taken at baseline and at weeks 4 and 8. There were no significant changes (p>.05) in body mass, BMI, fat mass or lean mass. An insignificant trend toward increasing upper body strength was noted. Lower extremity strength increased significantly by 42.52%. In conclusion, this resistance training intervention did not significantly alter body composition but did positively impact leg strength. Keywords: Resistance training, post-menopausal, strength, morphology