Research Symposium

BIO

Ava Knowles is a sophomore pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology from Vero Beach, Florida. She has long been passionate about the relationship between hormones and exercise, particularly how the endocrine system influences metabolism, physical performance, and overall health. Through the mentorship of Alayne J. Thompson, Knowles has continued to expand her academic interests and deepen her understanding of human physiology. This mentorship has supported her exploration of how exercise and hormonal balance interact to influence long-term health and well-being.
Knowles plans to attend Physician Assistant school after completing her undergraduate degree. She hopes to one day specialize in endocrinology, where she can work with patients experiencing hormonal disorders. By combining her background in exercise physiology with clinical training, she hopes to help patients better understand the holistic connection between hormones, lifestyle, and health. Knowles is committed to furthering her education and developing the clinical knowledge and skills necessary to support patients in improving their long-term health outcomes.

Impact of Exercise on Physiological and Psychological Indicators of Sleep Quality in Pre-Diabetic Postmenopausal Women

Abstract

Menopause is an inevitable life stage impacting over half of the population, leading to significant mental and physiological changes. This study is on going and investigates the feasibility of exercise as a non-pharmacological intervention for the treatment of symptoms in post-menopausal women with obesity and prediabetes. In our research, four participants were randomly assigned to resistance or endurance training groups. To measure objective sleep parameters, such as heart rate and distinct sleep stages, participants also wore an Oura Ring 4 throughout the six weeks. Furthermore, participants’ subjective sleep quality and menopausal symptoms were evaluated via the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Menopause Rating Scale (MRS). We hypothesized that exercise would cause an increase in time spent in deep sleep and would improve perception of sleep quality. With a small sample size and the study still ongoing, we can only posit that our preliminary results indicate a trend towards improved strength, enhanced subjective sleep quality, and potential reductions in menopausal symptoms following the six-week exercise program. Further participant recruitment is necessary to enhance the statistical power to confirm these effects, yet our findings are promising in the potential application of exercise as a non-pharmacological strategy to improve sleep and menopausal health in this population.​

Keywords: Exercise, hormones, postmenopausal