The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of group exercise on hormone level, neurotransmitter and emotional reaction in menopausal women.
Twenty-four women participated in this study. The subjects were divided into two groups: Group exercise(GX; n =14), Control group(CON; n=10). All subjects were measured body composition, blood pressure, aerobic fitness, serum blood test(cardiovascular risk factor, estrogen, DHEA-S, cortisol, cortisol/DHEA-S ratio, serotonin), self-diagnosis test(depression, menopause) and emotional reaction test before initial group exercise and after last group exercise. The GX group worked out group exercise, 3 days per week, for 12 weeks.
After 12 weeks, the changes in body composition was significantly increased following the exercise intervention in GX group. Aerobic fitness was significant difference in the level of change between groups, and it was significantly increased following the exercise intervention in GX group. Although cardiovascular risk factor was no significant difference in the level of change between groups, it was only improved following exercise intervention in GX group. Also estrogen and cortisol were no significant difference in the level of change between groups, but they were improved following exercise intervention in GX group. The changes in DHEA-S was significantly greater in the GX compared to the CON group, and it was increased after exercise intervention in GX group. The change in cortisol/DHEA-S ratio was no significant difference in the level of change between groups, it was only improved following exercise intervention in GX group. Although serotonin was no significant difference in the level of change between groups, and it was only increased after exercise intervention in GX group. The changes in self-diagnosis test and emotional reaction test were significantly greater in the GX compared to the CON group, and they were increased after exercise intervention in GX group only. These findings demonstrate that group exercise will result in increased body composition and aerobic fitness. In addition, Group exercise significantly increases serum DHEA-S, serotonin and self-diagnosis test.
Collectively, this indicates that 12 weeks of group exercise intervention can have a positive effect on body composition, aerobic fitness, DHEA-S, serotonin and self-diagnosis test, which may contribute to improvements in physical and psychological factors in menopausal women.