A LIFETIME OF FITNESS: Exercise in the Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Woman
Section snippets
COMMON PROBLEMS IN THE PERIMENOPAUSAL AND POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMAN
The number of chronic medical and orthopedic conditions increases with age, leading to increased risk of mobility impairments and disability. Because of this increase, there is a significant need for improved health care and disease prevention targeted at groups of young and middle-age people. Decreases in circulating estrogen in the postmenopausal years can bring higher risks of osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease.58 Additionally, lifestyle choices, such as diet, lack of exercise, and
BARRIERS TO EXERCISE
Difficulty initiating a regular exercise program can be problematic regardless of age. The older woman, however, may have additional physical constraints or psychologic factors to overcome before beginning an exercise program. The problems discussed in the previous section can also become barriers to exercise for the older woman.
BENEFITS OF EXERCISE
The following sections are intended to provide a summarized review of the benefits of different types of exercise training. Each modality includes general benefits of training supported by research.
EXERCISE PRESCRIPTION
A sedentary lifestyle can lead to devastating consequences, such as increased risk of disease and functional decline. In later life, movements are guided by the conservation of energy. Perimenopausal and early postmenopausal years are a time of transition when a well-rounded healthful exercise program can set the stage for successful aging. Assuming that a woman is not exercising, her premenopausal strength is greater than it will be at any time in the future. Late-life independence is
SUMMARY
The peri- and postmenopausal woman experiences physiologic changes of aging that include alterations in hormone levels. Research has shown that the perimenopausal and postmenopausal woman can benefit significantly from exercise, whether endurance or strength training. Exercise can improve the quality of life and attenuate some of the physiologic changes associated with aging. Additionally, exercise can ameliorate the decline in fitness and bone, prevent chronic disease, and promote functional
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2021, MaturitasCitation Excerpt :The menopausal transition (MT) can last up to a decade, moving from pre-menopause, through peri-menopause and post-menopause, with symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats, difficulty sleeping, low mood, increased anxiety, problems with memory or concentration, often most intensive during peri-menopause [1] but under-researched. Such symptoms can significantly impact on quality of life and well-being in women [2], coinciding with increased risk of chronic conditions such as osteoporosis [3] and cardiovascular disease [4]. Bodily changes with menopause transition may act as a “cues to action” to promote health [5] by providing a window of opportunity to encourage health promoting behaviours, such as physical activity (PA), that may enhance health and alleviate bothersome symptoms [6].
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