Effects of a recreational team handball-based exercise program on cardiometabolic and musculoskeletal health profile and physical fitness in inactive postmenopausal women

Abstract

Menopause is defined as the cessation of menses and is characterized by several hormonal changes, namely a decrease in estrogen levels which is associated to several adverse health-related conditions. Team sports, and particularly recreational team handball (RTH), have shown evidence of their beneficial effects in the health of different populations, and emerge as a suitable exercise approach to meet postmenopausal women's interest and to keep them motivated and engaged in exercise at long-term. However, studies with this population are scarce. To address this gap in the literature, four original studies were conducted aiming to describe the physiological and physical demands of RTH practice (original study I), its effects at short- (original study II and III) and long-term on health and physical fitness of postmenopausal women, as well as to describe the long-term adherence to this exercise mode (original study IV). RTH is a highintensity intermittent exercise mode, with high-demanding actions, able to induce positive adaptations in cardiometabolic and bone health and in physical fitness at short-term (16 weeks), which were maintained or enhanced at long-term (36 weeks). Since the menopause is associated with deleterious health effects at different levels (e.g., cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome, osteoporosis), the broad-spectrum positive health effects of RTH practice in this population are of the most importance. Participants reported high fun, which could have contributed to engaging in the exercise intervention (76% completed the 36- week program). Moreover, no severe injuries were recorded, and the injury incidence was 0.8 injuries per 1000 h of exposure, emphasizing the safety of the program. Taking together, RTH was shown to be an effective, feasible and safe exercise mode to improve general health profile and physical fitness in postmenopausal women and to keep them physically active at the long-term.