Correlation of exercise capacity with skeletal muscle strength, pulmonary and cardiac autonomic functions in postmenopausal women

Abstract Objectives The purpose of the study was to investigate the association of the major systems, i.e., musculoskeletal, pulmonary, and cardiac autonomic systems of the body, with exercise capacity among post-menopausal women. Methods Forty-five participants were recruited based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria of the study. Maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV), physical activity level, hand grip strength (HGS), and heart rate recovery (HRR) were evaluated and documented. Results The result of the study states that the correlation of exercise capacity with MVV is positive and statistically significant ( r = 0.39; p = 0.008). However, the correlation between exercise capacity and HGS was weak, and it is borderline statistically significant ( r = 0.29; p = 0.05). Further, the correlation between exercise capacity and HRR (2nd minute) after exercise is negative and statistically insignificant ( r =-0.180 & p = 0.236). Conclusion The study concludes that exercise capacity in post-menopausal women positively correlates with skeletal muscle strength and pulmonary function. However, the correlation with cardiac autonomic functions is not significant. Hence, the correlation of exercise capacity is different with different variables. This proves the research hypothesis. Trial registration CTRI/2020/03/023824