Effect of high intensity interval training on cardiovascular function in postmenopausal women: a meta-analysis

Objective(s): The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of HIIT on cardiovascular function in postmenopausal women.

Data Sources: A systematic literature search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane and Embase, for up to January 1, 2023.The search strategy is composed of two main concepts: postmenopausal and High-Intensity Interval Training. The different terms of each concept were combined using the OR operator and the two concepts were combined with the AND operator.

Study Selection: Studies were included if they considered postmenopausal women, examined the effects of HIIT on at least one measure of heart rate at rest (HRrest), blood pressure, blood lipids and glucose, and was Randomized controlled trial.Seven studies were included in the analysis.

Data Extraction: Two investigators performed data extraction, and also searched their references manually. If there was any discrepancy or disagreement between the two investigators, agreement will be required with the third reviewer (Ruan).

Data Synthesis: The mean quality score obtained after assessment of each trial included in the meta-analysis was 6.29. Most studies were of high quality, with scores above 7. HRrest dropped in the HIIT group(MD=-3.02, CI:-5.73 to -0.32, p=0.93, I2=0), and HDL went up(MD=0.19, CI: 0.03 to 0.35, p=0.77, I2=0). In SBP(MD= 4.63, 95% CI: 0.04 to 9.22, p=0.89, I2 = 0%) , DBP(MD=3.20, 95% CI:0.32 to 6.09, p=0.92, I2=0%) , glucose(MD=-0.03, 95% CI: -0.20 to 0.15), p=0.32, I2=1%) and blood lipids ( except for HDL) , there was no significant difference between the HIIT group and the control group.

Conclusions: HIIT can significantly improve cardiovascular function in postmenopausal women in some ways such as HRrest and HDL, and more research is needed to confirm whether HIIT can effectively improve other cardiovascular functions.

Author(s) Disclosures: None of the authors of this article exist any conflicts or lack thereof.