A review of seven trials with 400 women found exercise therapies showed very uncertain or little effect on joint pain, stiffness, grip strength or quality of life from aromatase inhibitor side effects.
No difference foundMeta-analysis · 400 participants pooled · 2020PostmenopausalCited 36 timesPubMed
In 120 postmenopausal women and men aged 50-65, two years of higher or lower intensity endurance exercise improved treadmill fitness and modestly raised HDL cholesterol in home-based groups.
Mixed resultsRandomised trial · 269 women · 104 weeks · 1995Midlife womenCited 306 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal breast cancer survivors did a 1 year resistance plus impact program versus stretching; the resistance group showed significantly greater gains in leg and bench press strength.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 106 women · 52 weeks · 2012PostmenopausalCited 142 timesPubMed
Over 12 weeks, 83 inactive postmenopausal breast cancer survivors using an activity tracker with coaching increased moderate to vigorous activity and reduced sitting time versus controls.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 83 women · 12 weeks · 2019PostmenopausalCited 125 timesPubMed
Perimenopausal women who lost weight were randomized to an internet or self directed weight maintenance program tracking diet and exercise, and both groups regained similar small amounts of weight over 12 months.
Mixed resultsRandomised trial · 135 women · 52 weeks · 2008PerimenopausalCited 87 timesPubMed
A review of 12 studies found mobile apps and wearables increased physical activity by about 61 weekly minutes in midlife menopausal women and improved weight, anxiety, sleep and quality of life.
Reported an improvementSystematic review · 2022Midlife womenCited 14 timesPubMed
Seventy-five postmenopausal breast cancer survivors were randomized to 6 months of supervised and home-based aerobic exercise or usual care, with exercisers increasing activity and daily steps significantly more than controls.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 75 women · 26 weeks · 2008PostmenopausalCited 84 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes who joined a 6 month Mediterranean lifestyle program with diet and exercise counseling showed changes in social resources that were linked to improved exercise behavior and glycemic control.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 279 women · 26 weeks · 2006PostmenopausalCited 62 timesPubMed
Middle-aged women with fibromyalgia did a 16 week aquatic exercise program and researchers found fewer tender points and improved sleep and cognitive function, with no change in anxiety.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 60 women · 16 weeks · 2008Midlife womenCited 76 timesPubMed
Mostly sedentary, overweight middle-aged women at work took part in a 10-minute workplace aerobic dance exercise break, with high participation but mixed effects on self-rated health and energy.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 449 women · 2004Midlife womenCited 55 timesPubMed
In postmenopausal women with overweight or obesity, 12 months of diet or diet plus exercise reduced disordered eating scores, while exercise alone did not change eating behaviors versus control.
Mixed resultsRandomised trial · 439 women · 52 weeks · 2019PostmenopausalCited 35 timesPubMed
61 postmenopausal breast cancer survivors on aromatase inhibitors with joint pain did a year of aerobic and strength exercise, and most maintained adherence to the program.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 61 women · 52 weeks · 2016PostmenopausalCited 56 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women in a year-long supervised and unsupervised aerobic exercise program completed most supervised sessions, and adherence predictors differed between supervised and unsupervised exercise.
Direction not statedRandomised trial · 160 women · 52 weeks · 2012PostmenopausalCited 41 timesPubMed
In women aged 50 to 70 with raised BMI, a volunteer delivered diet and walking programme produced greater weight loss at 12 months than usual care but no significant difference in step counts.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 560 women · 52 weeks · 2021PostmenopausalCited 21 timesPubMed
In 90 midlife women aged 40 to 65 who completed a 24-week home-based walking program, adherence during a later maintenance phase averaged 64% of expected walks.
Mixed resultsRandomised trial · 90 women · 48 weeks · 2005Midlife womenCited 44 timesPubMed
Overweight postmenopausal women did a 20 week diet with or without treadmill walking; those with larger drops in daily activity during weight loss regained more weight afterward.
Mixed resultsRandomised trial · 34 women · 20 weeks · 2008PostmenopausalCited 48 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal breast cancer survivors on endocrine therapy did six months of moderate aerobic exercise and showed improved processing speed, learning and working memory compared to usual care.
Direction not statedRandomised trial · 153 women · 26 weeks · 2024PostmenopausalCited 24 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women doing 12 weeks of combined aerobic and resistance training outdoors reported better mood responses and higher adherence than those training indoors.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 23 women · 12 weeks · 2015PostmenopausalCited 43 timesPubMed
Sedentary postmenopausal women did 6 months of treadmill walking at three exercise doses, and step counts needed to meet 50, 100, and 150 percent of activity guidelines were quantified.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 111 women · 26 weeks · 2005PostmenopausalCited 39 timesPubMed
In a year-long trial of 154 perimenopausal and early postmenopausal cancer survivors, an aerobic-resistance exercise program increased physical activity levels but did not change diet or alcohol adherence.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 154 women · 52 weeks · 2019Midlife womenCited 26 timesPubMed
In 120 postmenopausal breast cancer survivors with bone loss doing a 24-month strength training programme, average adherence was 62%, and more frequent feedback predicted higher adherence.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 120 women · 104 weeks · 2011PostmenopausalCited 32 timesPubMed
Sedentary, overweight postmenopausal women prescribed a yearlong moderate-intensity exercise program averaged 79 percent of the prescribed days and 87 percent of prescribed minutes per week.
Direction not statedRandomised trial · 87 women · 52 weeks · 2004PostmenopausalCited 38 timesPubMed
203 postmenopausal women received personal bone density results or not over 18 months; receiving the results increased calcium intake but did not change exercise levels.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 203 women · 78 weeks · 2007PostmenopausalCited 29 timesPubMed
In a trial of nearly 44,000 postmenopausal women, a long-term low-fat dietary intervention was associated with lower physical inactivity and slightly higher self-directed physical activity versus usual diet over about 16 years.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 43,760 women · 828 weeks · 2022PostmenopausalCited 6 timesPubMed
Women with frequent hot flushes were randomized to 12 weeks of yoga, aerobic exercise, or usual activity, with adherence of 59% for yoga and 77% for exercise reported.
Mixed resultsRandomised trial · 355 women · 12 weeks · 2013Midlife womenCited 21 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women used a mobile phone walking program for 12 weeks and reported faster walking times, small weight loss, and improved exercise goal setting and planning.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 71 women · 12 weeks · 2012PostmenopausalCited 29 timesPubMed
Women around age 58 in a breast screening program followed a 3 month lifestyle program targeting weight, activity and alcohol, and showed significant improvements in weight, BMI, waist and physical activity versus usual care.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 65 women · 12 weeks · 2014Midlife womenCited 28 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women with low bone mass did a 9-month community-based Tai Chi program; interviews found convenience, teaching quality and social support helped participation and adherence.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 43 women · 36 weeks · 2014PostmenopausalCited 29 timesPubMed
A systematic review of 20 studies identified barriers and enablers, such as health complaints and social support, affecting physical activity engagement across the menopausal transition.
Direction not statedSystematic review · 2024Midlife womenCited 4 timesPubMed
In inactive postmenopausal South Asian women, 12 weeks of Bhangra dance or gym-based exercise did not significantly reduce visceral fat overall, but fat loss occurred in women with high attendance.
Direction not statedRandomised trial · 75 women · 12 weeks · 2016PostmenopausalCited 23 timesPubMed
Among 137 overweight postmenopausal women in a 6-month diet or diet-plus-resistance-training program, 22% dropped out, with less weight loss and fewer fruit servings than completers.
Mixed resultsRandomised trial · 137 women · 26 weeks · 2010PostmenopausalCited 23 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal breast cancer patients on aromatase inhibitors did supervised or unsupervised exercise training for up to 48 weeks; supervised training achieved higher fitness gains on a cycle ergometer.
Mixed resultsRandomised trial · 50 women · 48 weeks · 2018PostmenopausalCited 22 timesPubMed
In 225 midlife women, a 12-week web-based or face-to-face lifestyle program increased physical activity and positive exercise perceptions, with nurse-supported delivery showing greater gains.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 225 women · 12 weeks · 2019Midlife womenCited 15 timesPubMed
In a 6 week RCT, a health belief model and social support training program increased physical activity and self efficacy and reduced BMI in overweight middle-aged women.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 73 women · 6 weeks · 2024Midlife womenCited 16 timesPubMed
A church-based physical activity program for sedentary midlife women aged 35 to 65 increased energy expenditure and aerobic fitness compared with comparison groups.
Direction not statedRandomised trial · 42 women · 2005Midlife womenCited 28 timesPubMed
In 60 women with perimenopausal syndrome, 12 weeks of health education combined with diet and exercise supervision lowered menopausal symptom index scores and increased regular exercise habits versus controls.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 60 women · 12 weeks · 2017PerimenopausalCited 19 timesPubMed
Women recently through menopause did brisk walking with resistance training for 15 weeks and improved leg strength and walking time, but not balance, with 92% adherence.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 134 women · 15 weeks · 2006Early postmenopausalCited 20 timesPubMed
Overweight postmenopausal women did a year of diet, aerobic exercise, or both, and body weight, glucose and inflammation markers improved regardless of antidepressant use.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 439 women · 52 weeks · 2013PostmenopausalCited 13 timesPubMed
Sedentary overweight middle-aged women followed either a 30-minutes-a-day walking goal or a 10,000-steps-a-day pedometer goal for 12 weeks, and the steps group increased activity more than the minutes group.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 30 women · 12 weeks · 2011Midlife womenCited 24 timesPubMed
Sedentary overweight postmenopausal women did a year long moderate exercise program versus stretching control, with little change in diet, alcohol or medication use compared to controls.
Direction not statedRandomised trial · 173 women · 52 weeks · 2007PostmenopausalCited 18 timesPubMed
Inactive overweight women aged 45 to 65 given interventionist-led physical activity counseling for 12 weeks increased activity more than self-guided women short term, with no significant weight difference.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 98 women · 52 weeks · 2015Midlife womenCited 16 timesPubMed
Obese postmenopausal women did 16 weeks of HIIT or endurance exercise with a calorie restricted diet, and the HIIT group lost twice as much weight and had higher adherence than the endurance group.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 11 women · 16 weeks · 2018PostmenopausalCited 23 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women who completed a supervised exercise trial were surveyed 12 months later, with similar activity levels in former exercise and control groups and self-efficacy predicting continued activity.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 244 women · 52 weeks · 2015PostmenopausalCited 13 timesPubMed
Middle-aged women in a 12-week tablet-based physical activity book club attended fewer sessions than those in a face-to-face version, with technology barriers limiting engagement.
Reported a worseningRandomised trial · 30 women · 12 weeks · 2015Midlife womenCited 19 timesPubMed
This paper reports baseline data for a 12-month home-based physical activity print intervention in postmenopausal African American women, finding low baseline activity and high obesity rates.
Direction not statedRandomised trial · 84 women · 52 weeks · 2016PostmenopausalCited 13 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women with coronary heart disease who joined a lifestyle program combining diet, exercise and stress management showed better adherence and psychosocial measures than usual care over a year.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 52 weeks · 1998PostmenopausalCited 49 timesPubMed
In a cohort of 84,300 postmenopausal women followed up to 7 years, those who received a diabetes diagnosis reported greater increases in total physical activity and walking than women without diabetes.
Reported an improvementCohort study · 84,300 women · 364 weeks · 2014PostmenopausalCited 34 timesPubMed
Sedentary women aged 40 to 60 did a balance-strategy training program twice weekly for 12 weeks, improving balance, ankle flexibility and leg muscle strength versus controls, with benefits maintained at 9 months.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 50 women · 12 weeks · 2009Midlife womenCited 16 timesPubMed
Inactive postmenopausal women assigned to 150 or 300 minutes weekly of aerobic exercise for a year increased physical activity and reduced sedentary time, with greater gains at the higher dose.
Mixed resultsRandomised trial · 400 women · 52 weeks · 2018PostmenopausalCited 8 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women aged 55 to 70 joined a 6-month program to reduce sitting time, and researchers found no significant link between DNA methylation and physical activity but some correlation with weight change.
Direction not statedRandomised trial · 20 women · 26 weeks · 2018PostmenopausalCited 15 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women underwent an 18-month lifestyle intervention with a physical activity component; the intervention group increased daily step counts and kept them more consistent across seasons than a health education group.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 78 weeks · 2009PostmenopausalCited 35 timesPubMed
Over 12 months, early postmenopausal women doing continuous or intermittent jumping exercise maintained bone density at the spine and hip, while a control group lost significant bone density.
Mixed resultsRandomised trial · 28 women · 52 weeks · 2020Early postmenopausalCited 12 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal overweight women at high breast cancer risk did 12 weeks of HIIT, moderate exercise, or usual care; HIIT was feasible and improved fitness more than usual care, with no weight difference.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 44 women · 12 weeks · 2019PostmenopausalCited 11 timesPubMed
A 3-month web-based physical activity program for 29 Asian American midlife women increased active living habits but did not significantly change menopausal symptom severity scores versus control.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 29 women · 12 weeks · 2017Midlife womenCited 12 timesPubMed
A 2-year lifestyle program for postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes increased use of social support resources, which partly explained gains in physical activity and lower saturated fat intake.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 104 weeks · 2008PostmenopausalCited 27 timesPubMed
Among 400 inactive postmenopausal women assigned to moderate or high volume aerobic exercise for one year, adherence was higher in the moderate volume group than the high volume group.
Mixed resultsRandomised trial · 400 women · 52 weeks · 2019PostmenopausalCited 5 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women aged 55 and older did pelvic floor muscle exercises via a class or DVD program, and researchers found fewer than half maintained optimal adherence over two years.
Mixed resultsRandomised trial · 647 women · 104 weeks · 2022PostmenopausalCited 4 timesPubMed
In postmenopausal women who lost weight via a supervised aerobic exercise trial, reduced physical activity and increased sedentary time during follow-up were linked to weight regain.
Reported a worseningRandomised trial · 227 women · 2019PostmenopausalCited 5 timesPubMed
12 postmenopausal women with overweight or obesity did single sessions of continuous or interval cycling, and researchers found no difference in post-exercise fat burning or energy balance between the two exercise types.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 12 women · 2020PostmenopausalCited 9 timesPubMed
Previously low-active postmenopausal women who completed a 1-year exercise program remained more physically active a year later than controls, though below their peak program level.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 52 weeks · 2010PostmenopausalCited 18 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women did 12 weeks of indoor or outdoor training three times weekly, and indoor training improved body composition and fitness more while outdoor training improved blood pressure, strength and adherence.
Mixed resultsRandomised trial · 23 women · 12 weeks · 2016PostmenopausalCited 7 timesPubMed
In 288 overweight postmenopausal Chinese women, a 3-month theory-based education program raised physical activity and diet behavior and improved weight, waist circumference and blood pressure versus conventional education, sustained to 12 months.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 288 women · 52 weeks · 2024PostmenopausalCited 3 timesPubMed
Overweight middle-aged women followed a 2.5 year diet and exercise program; early weight loss shrank over time, but increases in physical activity grew larger over 6.6 years.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 130 weeks · 2016Midlife womenCited 14 timesPubMed
In 26 Asian American midlife women, a 3 month online physical activity program increased lifestyle physical activity but did not significantly change cardiovascular symptoms compared to control.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 26 women · 12 weeks · 2020Midlife womenCited 6 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women did daily psoas muscle resistance exercises for 3 years, and researchers found less lumbar bone loss than in women who did not train.
Mixed resultsRandomised trial · 35 women · 156 weeks · 1997PostmenopausalCited 9 timesPubMed
In 320 perimenopausal women with cardiovascular risk factors, an educational workshop intervention increased physical activity and mental quality of life and prevented weight gain over 12 months versus mailed information.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 320 women · 52 weeks · 2017PerimenopausalCited 3 timesPubMed
Peri and postmenopausal women with hot flushes using DVD-based or social-support exercise programs for a year showed a small quality-of-life gain, with social support likely cost-effective.
Direction not statedRandomised trial · 261 women · 52 weeks · 2017Midlife womenCited 3 timesPubMed
In 110 inactive overweight middle-aged women, a 12-week mobile social networking program increased physical activity and reduced weight and waist and hip measures more than text messaging.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 110 women · 12 weeks · 2022Midlife womenCited 3 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal breast cancer survivors with bone loss doing strength or weight training exercise completed a new barriers and motivators questionnaire, identifying four factors linked to exercise adherence.
Mixed resultsRandomised trial · 65 women · 2009PostmenopausalCited 5 timesPubMed
In 101 postmenopausal women with obesity, severe short-term energy restriction led to greater physical activity levels at 6 months than moderate restriction, though differences were weight-dependent.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 101 women · 156 weeks · 2022PostmenopausalCited 3 timesPubMed
An 8-week home-based interval training program, with or without a Mediterranean diet, reduced weight, BMI and waist circumference in inactive postmenopausal women with overweight or obesity versus controls.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 30 women · 8 weeks · 2025PostmenopausalCited 3 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis did a 4-month sedentary-behavior reduction program; it did not change sedentary time, activity, or most cardiometabolic and quality of life measures.
Direction not statedRandomised trial · 103 women · 16 weeks · 2025PostmenopausalCited 2 timesPubMed
In 442 older postmenopausal cancer survivors randomized to strength training, tai ji quan or stretching for 6 months, 87% retention was reported, with poorer baseline health linked to lower adherence.
Mixed resultsRandomised trial · 442 women · 26 weeks · 2025PostmenopausalCited 1 timesPubMed
In a 12-week RCT, 24 middle-aged women used a home Wii Fit Plus balance program with 95% compliance but no significant improvement in total balance scale scores versus control.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 24 women · 12 weeks · 2019Midlife womenCited 3 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women with low bone mass who completed a 12-month bone-loading exercise program averaged 58.9% adherence, with lack of time cited as the main barrier.
Direction not statedRandomised trial · 72 women · 52 weeks · 2021PostmenopausalCited 2 timesPubMed
Middle-aged women took part in a 24-week community physical activity promotion program and reported increased physical activity minutes and walking compared to non-participants.
Mixed resultsControlled trial · 430 women · 24 weeks · 2010Midlife womenCited 26 timesPubMed
Twenty-two postmenopausal women with urinary incontinence did 12 weeks of telehealth or face-to-face pelvic floor muscle training; urinary symptoms and pelvic floor function improved in both groups with no difference between them.
Direction not statedRandomised trial · 22 women · 12 weeks · 2025PostmenopausalCited 2 timesPubMed
Sedentary obese postmenopausal African American women were randomized to walk 3 or 5 days a week at the same intensity, comparing exercise maintenance and cardiovascular risk factors.
Direction not statedRandomised trial · 2004PostmenopausalCited 8 timesPubMed
Sixty five postmenopausal women with low activity did a 15 week supervised resistance training program; both intervention and control groups significantly increased and sustained physical activity levels over 2 years.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 65 women · 104 weeks · 2025PostmenopausalCited 1 timesPubMed
In 164 postmenopausal women taught pelvic floor and bladder training over a year, using a routine daily approach was linked to much higher adherence than an ad hoc approach.
Reported an improvementCohort study · 164 women · 52 weeks · 2007PostmenopausalCited 24 timesPubMed
A pilot trial of diet, exercise and stress management in 49 perimenopausal Latinas found the program feasible and acceptable for reducing cardiovascular risk factors over 12 months.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 49 women · 52 weeks · 2026PerimenopausalCited 1 timesPubMed
In 135 postmenopausal women given a home-based exercise program after an educational session, only 17.8% complied with the program at 18 months, mainly due to lack of motivation.
Direction not statedCohort study · 135 women · 78 weeks · 2005PostmenopausalCited 22 timesPubMed
In 146 postmenopausal women followed about 3 years, forearm bone density declined less in those who exercised regularly than in irregular exercisers or controls, but only 48% complied regularly.
Reported a worseningControlled trial · 146 women · 156 weeks · 1995PostmenopausalCited 22 timesPubMed
In 80 middle-aged Iranian women, an education-based behavior model nearly tripled physical activity levels and reduced average BMI compared to a control group.
Reported an improvementControlled trial · 80 women · 2021Midlife womenCited 11 timesPubMed
Healthy postmenopausal women did 30 weeks of ballistic or conventional resistance training, and both were well accepted with no serious adverse events and similar perceived benefits.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 109 women · 30 weeks · 2025PostmenopausalPubMed
Previously sedentary postmenopausal women did a 24 week supervised resistance training programme, and researchers found social contact and routine were the main reasons 76.5% kept attending.
Direction not statedCohort study · 34 women · 24 weeks · 2015PostmenopausalCited 14 timesPubMed
Middle-aged women in Iran who received a theory-based educational program had greater improvement in physical activity scores than a control group.
Reported an improvementControlled trial · 140 women · 2021Midlife womenCited 8 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women received a 12-week community behavioral program targeting diet and physical activity, and waist circumference and activity behaviors improved over 24 weeks versus controls.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 46 women · 24 weeks · 2025PostmenopausalPubMed
In a 12-week pilot RCT, low-active pre- and perimenopausal women did a remote group strength and cardio program, increasing physical activity more than controls but not significantly.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 39 women · 12 weeks · 2025PerimenopausalPubMed
Postmenopausal women used a 12-month digital voice assistant program including home-based exercise for osteoporosis self-management and reported it was feasible, acceptable, and sustainable.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 22 women · 52 weeks · 2026PostmenopausalPubMed
Overweight postmenopausal women did 6 months of weight loss with or without aerobic exercise; both lost similar weight, but only the exercise group improved fitness and avoided a drop in daily activity.
Mixed resultsControlled trial · 79 women · 26 weeks · 2014PostmenopausalCited 6 timesPubMed
In 160 middle-aged women, a theory-based educational intervention over 2 months increased self-reported physical activity scores compared with a control group.
Reported an improvementControlled trial · 160 women · 8 weeks · 2021Midlife womenCited 4 timesPubMed
In a 3 month combined aerobic and strength training program, obese and lean premenopausal middle-aged women improved similarly across most fitness, strength and balance measures, with high enjoyment in both groups.
Reported an improvementControlled trial · 72 women · 12 weeks · 2023OtherCited 4 timesPubMed
Among postmenopausal women who discontinued hormone therapy, 68% used exercise for hot flush relief, and behavioral approaches like exercise were rated more helpful than herbal remedies.
Direction not statedCross-sectional study · 10,607 women · 2015PostmenopausalCited 21 timesPubMed
A survey of women aged 46 to 55 found most preferred one-to-one exercise support and walking, and exercise participation was not linked to frequency of hot flushes or night sweats.
Direction not statedCross-sectional study · 1,693 women · 2011Midlife womenCited 30 timesPubMed
Fifty middle-aged women took part in a six-session cognitive-behavioral physical activity program, and their total activity levels increased after the intervention and stayed higher at long-term follow-up.
Reported an improvementBefore-and-after study · 50 women · 2002Midlife womenCited 58 timesPubMed
A 5 year survey of 216 menopausal women at cardiovascular risk found self-reported aerobic exercise changed similarly regardless of baseline weight, with low participation in strength training throughout.
No difference foundCohort study · 216 women · 260 weeks · 2016Midlife womenCited 2 timesPubMed
In 297 postmenopausal women surveyed, attitudes, norms and self-efficacy explained 44% of variance in intentions to engage in physical activity.
Direction not statedCross-sectional study · 297 women · 2011PostmenopausalCited 24 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women with frequent hot flushes did 8 weeks of restorative yoga and researchers reported fewer and less severe hot flushes by the end of the trial.
Reported an improvementBefore-and-after study · 14 women · 8 weeks · 2007PostmenopausalCited 37 timesPubMed
In 21 postmenopausal breast cancer survivors, a 12-month program of home strength training plus alendronate, calcium and vitamin D improved balance, muscle strength and spine and hip bone density.
Reported an improvementBefore-and-after study · 21 women · 52 weeks · 2003PostmenopausalCited 30 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal breast cancer survivors on aromatase inhibitors self-reported leisure, strength, and walking activity; about half met activity guidelines, and activity level was not linked to quality of life scores.
Direction not statedCross-sectional study · 170 women · 2021PostmenopausalCited 11 timesPubMed
Among 434 Korean women aged 40 to 64, depression scores and self-efficacy differed significantly across stages of readiness to change exercise behavior.
Mixed resultsCross-sectional study · 434 women · 2006Midlife womenCited 13 timesPubMed
Among overweight or obese breast cancer survivors entering a weight loss study, only 23% met physical activity guidelines, with higher BMI and more comorbidities linked to less activity.
Direction not statedCross-sectional study · 692 women · 2016Midlife womenCited 9 timesPubMed
In 100 postmenopausal women surveyed, 81% reported doing weight-bearing or resistance exercise but irregularly, and hormone therapy users reported greater exercise participation than nonusers.
Mixed resultsCross-sectional study · 100 women · 1995PostmenopausalCited 20 timesPubMed
In 10 midlife women aged 45 to 64, a pilot study reported pedometers helped motivate increased daily physical activity and awareness of activity patterns.
Reported an improvementBefore-and-after study · 10 women · 2011Midlife womenCited 21 timesPubMed
In midlife women, a 6 month program using activity sensors and social connectivity increased aerobic exercise from 63 to 132 minutes per week, maintained at 6 months.
Reported an improvementBefore-and-after study · 26 weeks · 2016Midlife womenCited 30 timesPubMed
Low-income middle-aged women in Panama and Trinidad and Tobago completed a 6 week program to promote physical activity and healthy eating, but surveyed physical activity decreased during the project.
Reported a worseningBefore-and-after study · 200 women · 6 weeks · 2006Midlife womenCited 11 timesPubMed
Twenty-three breast cancer survivors at risk for osteoporosis did home-based strength/weight training for 6 months and showed high adherence and increased self-efficacy.
Reported an improvementBefore-and-after study · 23 women · 26 weeks · 2004PostmenopausalCited 17 timesPubMed
A survey of 542 midlife women identified three physical activity clusters, with the least active group showing greater obesity and more negative attitudes toward exercise.
Direction not statedCross-sectional study · 542 women · 2017Midlife womenCited 6 timesPubMed
In a 6-month phone-based walking intervention for women aged 30 to 60, participants reflected on walking routines, with differences in location and social support by race and income.
Direction not statedBefore-and-after study · 31 women · 26 weeks · 2003Midlife womenCited 13 timesPubMed
101 postmenopausal women in tropical Australia were surveyed, finding that exercisers had higher exercise self-efficacy than non-exercisers, which best distinguished the two groups.
Direction not statedCross-sectional study · 101 women · 2007PostmenopausalCited 8 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal breast and colorectal cancer survivors did a 12-month counseling plus physical activity and diet program; breast cancer survivors averaged 7.6% weight loss, colorectal survivors 2.5%.
Mixed resultsBefore-and-after study · 48 women · 52 weeks · 2018PostmenopausalCited 7 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women used a 12-week cell phone-based physical activity program with pedometers, and day-to-day self-efficacy predicted their daily step counts.
Direction not statedBefore-and-after study · 71 women · 12 weeks · 2014PostmenopausalCited 7 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women with osteopenia did a 6-month weighted-vest and education program, with high adherence and improved quadriceps strength and hip bone density.
Reported an improvementBefore-and-after study · 42 women · 26 weeks · 2015PostmenopausalCited 7 timesPubMed
Obese postmenopausal women who walked briskly 3 times weekly for 16 weeks improved fitness and fat loss most when adherence was high, regardless of exercise intensity.
Reported an improvementBefore-and-after study · 159 women · 16 weeks · 2015PostmenopausalCited 5 timesPubMed
A survey of 739 Canadian women aged 40 to 60 found most peri and postmenopausal women were interested in resistance and high-intensity impact training for bone health and menopause symptoms.
Direction not statedCross-sectional study · 739 women · 2025Midlife womenCited 1 timesPubMed
Sedentary middle-aged women did a graded treadmill test; obese women reported lower pleasure and energy during exercise than normal-weight or overweight women.
Direction not statedOther · 2010Midlife womenCited 102 timesPubMed
In a 3 month home-based internet physical-cognitive exercise program for middle-aged obese women, body weight and BMI decreased while fitness and lower limb muscle power improved, with high adherence.
Reported an improvementBefore-and-after study · 33 women · 12 weeks · 2023Midlife womenCited 1 timesPubMed
A UK survey of 655 women and focus groups with 24 women found activity levels often decreased during menopause, and symptoms negatively influenced motivation to exercise for over half of participants.
Reported a worseningCross-sectional study · 655 women · 2026Midlife womenPubMed
Mostly postmenopausal nurses with average age 47 tried an eight week weight management program with exercise and diet, and showed decreased body weight and increased exercise at eight weeks that lessened by three months.
Mixed resultsBefore-and-after study · 12 weeks · 2014Midlife womenCited 3 timesPubMed
Fifteen low-active postmenopausal women did 15 weeks of resistance training and reported improved well-being and most experienced fewer vasomotor symptoms.
Reported an improvementOther · 15 women · 15 weeks · 2022PostmenopausalCited 12 timesPubMed
22 menopausal women completed a 12-week workplace exercise programme of body conditioning, Zumba Gold, Pilates and HIIT, with authors reporting favourable changes in body fat, fitness, menopause symptoms and mental health.
Direction not statedBefore-and-after study · 22 women · 12 weeks · 2026Midlife womenPubMed
A trial protocol describes 168 sedentary overweight postmenopausal women randomised to interactive video dance, brisk walking, or delayed control, measuring adherence and cognitive function at six months.
Direction not statedOther · 168 women · 26 weeks · 2012PostmenopausalCited 8 timesPubMed
A protocol describes a 9 month mHealth guided jumping and fast walking program in 120 postmenopausal women to test effects on bone density, with results not yet reported.
Direction not statedOther · 120 women · 36 weeks · 2025PostmenopausalCited 4 timesPubMed
This protocol describes a study of postmenopausal women aged 45 to 65 following a supervised exercise programme with behaviour change support, with no results reported yet.
Direction not statedOther · 300 women · 12 weeks · 2023PostmenopausalCited 3 timesPubMed
Korean-Chinese middle-aged women joined a 12-week walking program with social media support, which was linked to increased sense of community and social support for exercise.
Reported an improvementOther · 24 women · 12 weeks · 2020Midlife womenCited 4 timesPubMed
Midlife women pilot tested activities like circuit training, Zumba, Pilates and pedometer use, ranking pedometer and Zumba as most sustainable for ongoing physical activity.
Direction not statedOther · 2016Midlife womenCited 5 timesPubMed
A smartphone app combining aerobic, strength and pelvic floor exercise was tested with 16 working midlife women and found low effort to use, but perceived effectiveness was rated low.
Mixed resultsOther · 16 women · 2026Midlife womenCited 1 timesPubMed
A pilot trial protocol will test whether splitting strength exercises into small daily snacks versus one session improves 12-week adherence in perimenopausal women; results are not yet available.
Direction not statedOther · 90 women · 24 weeks · 2026PerimenopausalPubMed
Interviews with 26 postmenopausal breast and gynecologic cancer survivors found they preferred flexible, at-home physical activity like walking, dancing and muscle-strengthening during and after treatment.
Direction not statedOther · 26 women · 2024PostmenopausalPubMed