Elsevier

Maturitas

Volume 64, Issue 2, 20 October 2009, Pages 119-125
Maturitas

When, why and for whom there is a relationship between physical activity and menopause symptoms

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2009.08.009Get rights and content

Abstract

Objectives

The relationship between enhanced physical activity and decreased menopause symptoms is equivocal. In this study we sought to better understand this relationship by examining the association of physical activity to different symptom domains and by examining mediating and moderating variables.

Study design

Women participating in a randomized control trial on physical activity were given a menopause symptom measure (MENQOL) at follow-up. Of the 280 women participating, 113 (mean age = 52) reported having symptoms they attributed to menopause. Regression analyses were run to examine if change in physical activity predicted fewer symptoms. Exercise self-efficacy was examined as a mediator and depressive symptoms as a moderator.

Results

An increase in physical activity from baseline was found to be related to reporting fewer total menopause symptoms (β = −0.22, p = .02). When the total menopause symptoms score was examined by domain, increased physical activity was found to be related to reporting fewer general symptoms attributed to menopause (psychosocial (β = −0.18, p = .05) and physical (β = −0.23, p = .01)), but had no effect on specific symptoms of menopause (vasomotor and sexual). Exercise self-efficacy was found to mediate the relationship between increased physical activity and total, physical and psychosocial menopause symptoms. Finally, for individuals with high depressive symptoms, those who increased physical activity the most reported fewer sexual symptoms of menopause.

Conclusion

This study suggests that physical activity participation is associated with lower general symptom reporting as opposed to specifically impacting menopause symptoms. Further, exercise self-efficacy mediates the relationship between physical activity and general menopause symptoms, suggesting a psychological pathway.

Section snippets

Participants

Participants were sedentary women recruited from the community through signs at grocery stores, print media, and radio advertisements (see Napolitano et al. [33]). Women who participated in less than 90 min of intentional moderate-intensity physical activity per week or less than 60 min of vigorous intensity physical activity per week were eligible. Women with medical problems that could be exacerbated by physical activity were excluded from the study (e.g. asthma, cardiovascular disease). The

Participant characteristics

When comparing the women in terms of symptoms reported, those who reported experiencing symptoms were significantly older. No other group differences were found (see Table 2). We examined additional potential confounds of our analyses including smoking, marital status and hormone replacement therapy use. Of the women experiencing menopause symptoms, 4 reported currently smoking, and 42 women reported smoking ever. Sixty-one women reported using some measure to relieve their symptoms, with 11 of

Discussion

This study examined the relationship between physical activity and symptoms attributed to menopause in a randomized controlled physical activity trial. Change in physical activity was found to predict total menopause symptoms. We hypothesized that change in physical activity would be more highly related to general or non-specific symptoms attributed to menopause as opposed to specific menopause symptoms. Regression analyses confirmed these hypotheses. Increase in physical activity was related

Conclusion

In conclusion, physical activity was found to be related to fewer physical symptoms, and fewer psychosocial symptoms. Also, of interest, exercise self-efficacy mediated the relationship between physical activity and reporting of physical and psychosocial menopause symptoms. Finally, there was an interaction between mood and physical activity. For individuals with high baseline depressive symptoms, increasing physical activity the most is associated with reporting fewer sexual symptoms. These

Conflicts of interest

We have no conflicts of interest or competing interests to report.

Acknowledgements

The research was supported by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation #044224 and materials were provided in kind by the American Heart Association. A portion of this material is the result of work supported with resources and the use of facilities at the Department of Veterans Affairs, New Jersey Health Care System.

Contributors: Lisa M. McAndrew, Ph.D. participated in the writing and data analysis.

Melissa A. Napolitano, Ph.D. participated in the study by serving as the Principal

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