Psychosocial correlates of cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle strength in overweight and obese post-menopausal women: A MONET study

The purpose of this study was to examine the psychosocial correlates of cardiorespiratory fitness ((V) over dotO(2peak)) and muscle strength in overweight and obese sedentary post-menopausal women. The study population consisted of 137 non-diabetic, sedentary overweight and obese post-menopausal women (mean age 57.7years, s=4.8; body mass index 32.4kg.m(-2), s=4.6). At baseline we measured: (1) body composition using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; (2) visceral fat using computed tomography; (3) insulin sensitivity using the hyperinsulinaemic-euglycaemic clamp; (4) cardiorespiratory fitness; (5) muscle strength using the leg press exercise; and (6) psychosocial profile (quality of life, perceived stress, self-esteem, body-esteem, and perceived risk for developing chronic diseases) using validated questionnaires. Both(V) over dotO(2peak) and muscle strength were significantly correlated with quality of life (r=0.29, P < 0.01 and r=0.30, P < 0.01, respectively), and quality of life subscales for: physical functioning (r=0.28, P < 0.01 and r=0.22, P < 0.05, respectively), pain (r=0.18, P < 0.05 and r=0.23, P < 0.05, respectively), role functioning (r=0.20, P < 0.05 and r=0.24, P < 0.05, respectively), and perceived risks (r=-0.24, P < 0.01 and r=-0.30, P < 0.01, respectively). In addition, [Vdot]O2(peak) was significantly associated with positive health perceptions, greater body esteem, and less time watching television/video. Stepwise regression analysis showed that quality of life for health perceptions and for role functioning were independent predictors of (V) over dotO(2peak) and muscle strength, respectively. In conclusion, higher (V) over dotO(2peak) and muscle strength are associated with a favourable psychosocial profile, and the psychosocial correlates of (V) over dotO(2peak) were different from those of muscle strength. Furthermore, psychosocial factors could be predictors of (V) over dotO(2peak) and muscle strength in our cohort of overweight and obese sedentary post-menopausal women.