Abstract

BackgroundTo examine longitudinal changes in physical performance during the menopausal transition and the role of physical activity (PA) in these changes.MethodsBased on follicle-stimulating hormone levels and bleeding diaries, women (47–55 years) were classified as early (n = 89) and late perimenopausal (n = 143) and followed prospectively until postmenopausal status, with mean duration of 17.5 and 13.8 months, respectively. Physical performance was measured by handgrip force, knee extension torque, vertical jumping height, maximal walking speed, and 6-minute walking distance. Physical activity was self-reported and categorized as inactive, low, medium, and high. Longitudinal associations of menopausal status, physical performance, and related changes with PA level were analyzed using generalized estimation equations adjusted for duration of hormonal therapy.ResultsA significant decline over the menopausal transition in handgrip force (−2.1%, 95% CI −3.8 to −0.4), knee extension torque (−2.6%, 95% CI −4.5 to −0.8), and vertical jumping height (−2.6%, 95% CI −4.2 to −1.1) and a significant increase in 6-minute walking distance (2.1%, 95% CI 1.4 to 2.7) were observed in the total sample. A significant interaction of PA by time was observed in handgrip force and in vertical jumping height. High PA women had greater increase in handgrip strength but greater decline in vertical jumping height than medium, low, and inactive women (all p ≤ .001).ConclusionsBoth early and late perimenopausal women show decline in muscle strength and power during the transition to postmenopause. Physical activity seems to influence physical performance during the menopausal transition but understanding the benefits of PA requires interventional studies.

Highlights

  • To examine longitudinal changes in physical performance during the menopausal transition and the role of physical activity (PA) in these changes

  • We showed that a higher level of PA was associated with better physical performance and muscle mass in 47- to 55-year-old pre, peri, and postmenopausal women (8,11), indicating that higher levels of PA may, at least partially, slow down the loss of physical performance during the menopausal transition

  • The aim of the study was (i) to assess changes in physical performance during the menopausal transition from the peri- to postmenopausal state utilizing a comprehensive set of measurements to assess physical performance, and (ii) to investigate whether these changes vary with the level of PA

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Summary

Introduction

To examine longitudinal changes in physical performance during the menopausal transition and the role of physical activity (PA) in these changes. Physical performance was measured by handgrip force, knee extension torque, vertical jumping height, maximal walking speed, and 6-minute walking distance. Longitudinal associations of menopausal status, physical performance, and related changes with PA level were analyzed using generalized estimation equations adjusted for duration of hormonal therapy. Results: A significant decline over the menopausal transition in handgrip force (−2.1%, 95% CI −3.8 to −0.4), knee extension torque (−2.6%, 95% CI −4.5 to −0.8), and vertical jumping height (−2.6%, 95% CI −4.2 to −1.1) and a significant increase in 6-minute walking distance (2.1%, 95% CI 1.4 to 2.7) were observed in the total sample. High PA women had greater increase in handgrip strength but greater decline in vertical jumping height than medium, low, and inactive women (all p ≤ .001). Physical activity seems to influence physical performance during the menopausal transition but understanding the benefits of PA requires interventional studies

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