Aerobic physical exercise and negative compensation of non-exercise physical activity in post-menopause: a pilot study

BACKGROUND: Sedentarism is a risk factor for mortality that is independent of physical exercise. As indicated in the literature, there is negative compensation of non-exercise physical activity due to exercise training. The aim was to investigate potential predictor variables of physical activity compensation in post-menopausal women beginning aerobic physical exercise training. METHODS: One hundred and three post-menopausal women (mean age, 58.31±5.33 years) were eligible for the study. Metabolic markers were measured (plasma leptin, insulin, glucose), together with cardiovascular parameters and body composition. Daily physical activity was recorded objectively. Following baseline measurements, participants walked at moderate intensity on 4 days/week, for 13 weeks. RESULTS: Baseline mean intensity of daily physical activity and leptin-to-fat mass ratio (L/FMkg) were independently and negatively correlated with variations in non-exercise physical activity. High L/FMkg was associated with negative compensation of non-exercise physical activity due to aerobic physical exercise. The same was shown for participants starting their exercise training who showed high daily physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of both L/FMkg and baseline spontaneous physical activity of participants in exercise training are important to programme physical exercise interventions and to prevent negative non-exercise physical activity compensation due to exercise training.