Effects of a 16-Week Green Exercise Program on Body Composition, Sleep, and Nature Connection in Postmenopausal Women

Helena Moreira (), Chiara Tuccella, Emília Alves, Andreia Teixeira, Carlos Moreira, Irene Oliveira, Valerio Bonavolontà and Catarina Abrantes
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Helena Moreira: Department of Sport Science, Exercise and Health, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
Chiara Tuccella: Department of Applied Clinical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
Emília Alves: Department of Sports Science, Douro Higher Institute of Educational Sciences, 4560-708 Penafiel, Portugal
Andreia Teixeira: Department of Sport Science, Exercise and Health, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
Carlos Moreira: Department of Sport Science, Exercise and Health, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
Irene Oliveira: Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences—CITAB, Inov4Agro University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro—UTAD, Quinta de Prados, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
Valerio Bonavolontà: Department of Applied Clinical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
Catarina Abrantes: Department of Sport Science, Exercise and Health, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 8, 1-18

Abstract: Physical activity, particularly when practiced in natural settings, has well-established benefits for overall health, sleep, and body composition. These effects are especially important for postmenopausal women, although research specifically targeting this population remains limited. The study evaluated a 16-week multicomponent outdoor exercise program (cardiorespiratory, strength, balance, coordination, and flexibility training) in postmenopausal women, consisting of three 60 min sessions per week. Participants were non-randomly assigned to an experimental group (EG, n = 55) and a control group (CG, n = 20). Measurements were taken at baseline and after 16 weeks, including body composition, sleep (duration and quality), and connection with nature. No significant differences were observed between groups at baseline. After the intervention, the EG and CG presented significant differences ( p ≤ 0.01) in the rates of change in body mass, fat mass (FM; −9.26% and −1.21%, respectively), and visceral fat level (VFL; −13.46 points and −3.80 points). These differences were also observed for the sleep fragmentation index ( p ≤ 0.01), but not for connection with nature. A significant interaction effect ( p < 0.01) of time × group was observed for %FM, VFL, and appendicular skeletal muscle mass. Exercise duration had an effect ( p = 0.043) on participants’ personal and affective identification with nature, and the time × group × medication interaction significantly influenced sleep efficiency ( p = 0.034). The exercise program proved effective in reducing total and central adiposity levels; however, it did not lead to improvements in sleep duration, sleep quality, or connection with nature.

Keywords: menopause; nature relatedness; sleep; adiposity; muscle condition (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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