The effect of exercise on physical fitness and quality of life in postmenopausal women

Objectives: This study was designed to determine the effect of exercise on the physical fitness level and quality of life in postmenopausal women. 81 volunteer postmenopausal women who entered the menopause naturally and have been taking hormone replacement treatment (HRT) were divided randomly into two groups: exercise (n = 41) and control (n = 40). Methods: Physical fitness tests and the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) were used to assess physical fitness and quality of life in both groups, both before and after 6 weeks. The study group participated in an exercise programme, which was composed of sub-maximal aerobic exercises for a 6-week period 3 times a week. The statistical analyses were done by paired samples t-test and independent samples t-test. Results: At the end of 6 weeks exercise period, when the two groups were compared after the exercise period, we found statistically significant differences in strength, endurance, flexibility and balance parameters in the exercise group (P < 0.05). There was also a statistically significant change in the exercise group for the NHP indicating an improvement in the quality of life (P < 0.05). Conclusions: In this study, it was concluded that the fitness level and quality of life on postmenopausal women could be improved by a regular and controlled exercise programme of 6 weeks. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved