PostmenopausalNCT07889167
Effect of Resistance Training on Ventilatory Function, Respiratory Muscle Strength, and Quality of Life in Postmenopausal Women
A study testing Resistance exercises and Breathing exercises in people with Postmenopausal, run by Middle East University at 1 site in Egypt.
Trial summary
Investigating the effects of adding resistance training to breathing exercises, compared with breathing exercises alone, on ventilatory function as the primary outcome and respiratory muscle strength, functional capacity, and quality of life as secondary outcomes in postmenopausal women. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 45 to 60 years, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Postmenopausal
- What is being tested?
- Resistance exercises and Breathing exercises
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 78 participants
- Where
- 1 siteEgypt
- Study dates
- 2 Aug 2024to 29 Apr 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 45 to 60 years
- Women only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Natural menopause, confirmed clinically by the cessation of menstruation for twelve consecutive months and hormonally by serum follicle-stimulating hormone levels of 49 international units per liter or higher.
- Normal and restricted ventilatory function according to American Thoracic Society criteria, defined as a total lung capacity greater than or equal to 80% or less than 80% of the predicted value, respectively.
- Ages between 45 and 60 years.
Who cannot join
- Premature menopause.
- Chronic respiratory disorders, such as obstructive or interstitial pulmonary diseases.
- Thoracic or abdominal surgery within the previous 3 months.
- Diaphragmatic hernia or paralysis.
- Unstable cardiovascular conditions.
- Musculoskeletal or neurological disorders affecting exercise performance. - --Contraindications to exercise testing.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Effect of Resistance Training on Ventilatory Function, Respiratory Muscle Strength, and Quality of Life in Postmenopausal Women: a Randomized Controlled Trial
Investigating the effects of adding resistance training to breathing exercises, compared with breathing exercises alone, on ventilatory function as the primary outcome and respiratory muscle strength, functional capacity, and quality of life as secondary outcomes in postmenopausal women.
Read the detailed description
This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of adding a 12-week moderate-intensity resistance training program to breathing exercises, compared with breathing exercises alone, in postmenopausal women. Background: Menopause accelerates declines in pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, and functional capacity, frequently leading to restrictive ventilatory patterns and impaired quality of life. While resistance training benefits various populations, its comprehensive effects combined with breathing exercises had not been evaluated in postmenopausal women. Methods: Seventy-eight postmenopausal women aged 45 to 60 years were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio into two parallel groups of 39 participants each. Both groups performed diaphragmatic breathing exercises three times weekly for 12 weeks, while the intervention group additionally performed moderate-intensity resistance exercises targeting major muscle groups. Outcomes: The primary outcome evaluated ventilatory function via forced vital capacity and total lung capacity. Secondary outcomes assessed respiratory muscle strength via maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures, functional capacity via the six-minute walk test, and quality of life via a validated menopause-specific questionnaire.
- Conditions
- Postmenopausal
- Being tested
- Resistance exercises, Breathing exercises
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Resistance exercisesOther
Participants performed a 12-week moderate-intensity resistance training program targeting major muscle groups (including the leg press, hamstring curl, standing calf raise, chest press, overhead shoulder press, biceps curl, abdominal crunch, and trunk extension) three times weekly. Resistance intensity was set at 55% to 70% of baseline one-repetition maximum and progressed across the 12-week period.
Breathing exercisesOther
Participants performed diaphragmatic breathing exercises alone in the crook-lying position three times weekly for 12 weeks, focusing on abdominal expansion rather than chest movement. Sessions progressively increased from 3 to 5 sets, with each set comprising 5 to 10 breathing cycles.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Resistance exercises group | Active comparator | Not described Receives: Other: Resistance exercises; Other: Breathing exercises |
| Control group | Active comparator | Not described Receives: Other: Breathing exercises |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Ventilatory Function
Forced vital capacity and total lung capacity were measured using a pulmonary function testing system in accordance with American Thoracic Society recommendations, expressed as a percentage of the predicted value.
Measured: Baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention
Secondary outcomes (3)
Respiratory muscle strength
Maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures measured via a digital respiratory pressure manometer following European Respiratory Society recommendations, displayed in centimeters of water.
Measured: Baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention
Functional capacity
The total distance walked by participants along a standardized 30-meter corridor during a six-minute period, recorded in meters in accordance with American Thoracic Society guidelines.
Measured: Baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention
Quality of life
Menopause-specific quality of life evaluated using the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire covering vasomotor, physical, psychosocial, and sexual domains, with higher scores indicating greater symptom-related impairment.
Measured: Baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted22 Oct 2026
- Study start2 Aug 2024
- Primary completion22 Apr 2025
- Study completion29 Apr 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for PostmenopausalStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Triple blind
- Who is masked
- Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 78 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Middle East University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Saher Lotfy El Gayar, Middle East University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07889167
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- Resistance Exercises
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 15 Oct 2026
- Last updated
- 22 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 22 Oct 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effect of Resistance Training on Ventilatory Function, Respiratory Muscle Strength, and Quality of Life in Postmenopausal Women: a Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07889167
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- Resistance Exercises
- Conditions
- Postmenopausal
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 78 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Middle East UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 2 Aug 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 22 Apr 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 29 Apr 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 22 Oct 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Investigating the effects of adding resistance training to breathing exercises, compared with breathing exercises alone, on ventilatory function as the primary outcome and respiratory muscle strength, functional capacity, and quality of life as secondary outcomes in postmenopausal women.
Detailed description
This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of adding a 12-week moderate-intensity resistance training program to breathing exercises, compared with breathing exercises alone, in postmenopausal women. Background: Menopause accelerates declines in pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, and functional capacity, frequently leading to restrictive ventilatory patterns and impaired quality of life. While resistance training benefits various populations, its comprehensive effects combined with breathing exercises had not been evaluated in postmenopausal women. Methods: Seventy-eight postmenopausal women aged 45 to 60 years were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio into two parallel groups of 39 participants each. Both groups performed diaphragmatic breathing exercises three times weekly for 12 weeks, while the intervention group additionally performed moderate-intensity resistance exercises targeting major muscle groups. Outcomes: The primary outcome evaluated ventilatory function via forced vital capacity and total lung capacity. Secondary outcomes assessed respiratory muscle strength via maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures, functional capacity via the six-minute walk test, and quality of life via a validated menopause-specific questionnaire.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Triple blind (care provider, investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Resistance exercises group | Active comparator | Other: Resistance exercises, Other: Breathing exercises |
| Control group | Active comparator | Other: Breathing exercises |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 45 to 60 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Natural menopause, confirmed clinically by the cessation of menstruation for twelve consecutive months and hormonally by serum follicle-stimulating hormone levels of 49 international units per liter or higher.
- Normal and restricted ventilatory function according to American Thoracic Society criteria, defined as a total lung capacity greater than or equal to 80% or less than 80% of the predicted value, respectively.
- Ages between 45 and 60 years.
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Premature menopause.
- Chronic respiratory disorders, such as obstructive or interstitial pulmonary diseases.
- Thoracic or abdominal surgery within the previous 3 months.
- Diaphragmatic hernia or paralysis.
- Unstable cardiovascular conditions.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Resistance exercisesParticipants performed a 12-week moderate-intensity resistance training program targeting major muscle groups (including the leg press, hamstring curl, standing calf raise, chest press, overhead shoulder press, biceps curl, abdominal crunch, and trunk extension) three times weekly. Resistance intensity was set at 55% to 70% of baseline one-repetition maximum and progressed across the 12-week period. | Other | Resistance exercises group |
| Breathing exercisesParticipants performed diaphragmatic breathing exercises alone in the crook-lying position three times weekly for 12 weeks, focusing on abdominal expansion rather than chest movement. Sessions progressively increased from 3 to 5 sets, with each set comprising 5 to 10 breathing cycles. | Other | Control group, Resistance exercises group |
Primary outcome
Ventilatory Function
Time frame: Baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention
Forced vital capacity and total lung capacity were measured using a pulmonary function testing system in accordance with American Thoracic Society recommendations, expressed as a percentage of the predicted value.
3 secondary outcomes
Respiratory muscle strength
Time frame: Baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention
Functional capacity
Time frame: Baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention
Quality of life
Time frame: Baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 22 Oct 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Resistance exercises and Breathing exercises in people with Postmenopausal, run by Middle East University at 1 site in Egypt.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 22 Oct 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Egypt. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Ventilatory Function (time frame: Baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 22 Oct 2026.