Evaluation of Lifestyle Modification on Cardiovascular Risk (GHRexD)
Metabolic Syndrome, Menopause, Cardiovascular Diseases
About this trial
This is an interventional prevention trial for Metabolic Syndrome focused on measuring Ghrelin, Postmenopause
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Female
- Participants >45-65 years of age
- Body mass index (BMI) >25.0 - 35.0
- Postmenopausal (with spontaneous amenorrhea for the last 12 months)
- Healthy (no known diseases)
- Physically inactive (IPAQ score - category I and not engaged in at least 60 min/week of structured exercise during the previous 6 months)
- Generally well enough to exercise.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Any inclusion criteria not met
- Abnormal ECG
- Current smokers
- Current or history of substance abuse and/or excess alcohol intake
- Cardiovascular disease
- Cancer
- Gastrointestinal disease e.g. inflammatory bowel disease or irritable bowel syndrome
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Pancreatitis
- On hormone therapy for <6 months
- Prescribed anti-hypertensive or beta-blocker medication
Sites / Locations
- Swansea UniversityRecruiting
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
Experimental
Experimental
No Intervention
Exercise only (Ex only)
Exercise and Mediterranean Diet (Ex + MedDiet)
Control
Participants in the "Exercise only" group will be performing home-based, equipment-free HIIT exercise for 20 minutes, 3 times a week for the duration of the 8-weeks, achieving ≥80% of predicted heart rate maximum (HRmax; 220-age) during the high-intensity intervals. Participants are also required to exercise at least 17 out of 20 on the Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale.
Participants in Ex+MedDiet arm will be required to adhere to a non-caloric restrictive Mediterranean diet throughout the 8-weeks according to a Mediterranean diet booklet provided by the researcher. In brief, diet encompasses a focus on minimally processed food, incorporating a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, legumes and wholegrains, whilst utilising olive oil as the main source of fat. They will be encouraged to eat more oily and white fish, with moderate consumption of nuts, poultry and dairy products, and low consumption of red/processed meat and alcohol. Participants in this group will also be performing home-based, equipment-free HIIT exercise for 20 minutes, 3 times a week for the duration of the 8-weeks, achieving ≥80% of predicted heart rate maximum (HRmax; 220-age) during the high-intensity intervals. Participants are also required to exercise at least 17 out of 20 on the Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale.
Participants will be asked to maintain their diet and physical activity levels throughout the 8 weeks.