EFFECTS OF 8 WEEKS AEROBIC AND RESISTANCE TRAINING ON MUSCULAR STRENGTH OF POST-MENOPAUSAL WOMEN IN ETI-OSA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, LAGOS STATE

Menopause is associated with accelerated loss of muscle mass and strength, known as sarcopenia, due to hormonal changes and physical inactivity. This decline increases the risk of falls, fractures, and reduced quality of life among post-menopausal women. Aerobic and resistance training have been identified as effective non-pharmacological interventions to improve muscular strength. However, limited studies exist on their combined effects among post-menopausal women in urban Nigerian settings. This study determined the effects of an 8-week combined aerobic and resistance training program on muscular strength of post-menopausal women in Eti-Osa Local Government Area, Lagos State.A quasi-experimental, pre-test post-test design was adopted for the study. Sixty post-menopausal women aged 45-65 years were recruited from selected communities in Eti-Osa LGA using purposive sampling technique. Participants were screened for medical fitness and assigned into two groups: Experimental Group (n=30) and Control Group (n=30). The Experimental Group participated in a supervised 8-week combined aerobic and resistance training program, 3 times per week for 60 minutes per session. The Control Group maintained their normal daily activities. Muscular strength was assessed at baseline and after 8 weeks using the Handgrip Dynamometer for upper body strength and the 30-Second Chair Stand Test for lower body strength. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26. Descriptive statistics, Analysis of Covariance, paired t-test and independent t-test were used at 0.05 level of significance. The results showed a significant improvement in muscular strength in the Experimental Group after the 8-week intervention. Upper body strength increased from a pre-test mean of 22.45±4.32 kg to a post-test mean of 28.70±3.98 kg, p < 0.001. Lower body strength increased from 12.30±2.87 stands to 18.65±3.12 stands, p < 0.001. The Control Group showed no significant change in both upper and lower body strength, p > 0.05. There was also a statistically significant difference between the Experimental and Control Groups in post-test scores, p < 0.001.The 8-week combined aerobic and resistance training programme significantly improved muscular strength among post-menopausal women in Eti-Osa LGA. It is recommended that community health programmes and primary health centers in Lagos State should integrate structured aerobic and resistance exercise programs to promote healthy aging and reduce frailty among post-menopausal women.