Does aerobic plus resistance affect fatigue in menopause? What 8 studies found

A meta-analysis of 29 RCTs in 2071 women with breast cancer found combined aerobic and resistance training improved fitness, fatigue and quality of life, with smaller benefits in postmenopausal women.

Reported an improvementMeta-analysis · 2,071 participants pooled · 2026Midlife womenCited 2 timesPubMed

Breast cancer surgery patients did an 8-month exercise program delivered face to face or by phone, reporting better quality of life, fitness and fatigue than usual care, with no difference in other side effects.

Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 194 women · 32 weeks · 2013Midlife womenCited 146 timesPubMed

Older breast cancer survivors on aromatase inhibitors did nine months of combined resistance and aerobic exercise, which improved quality of life, fatigue and sleep compared with a control group.

Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 36 women · 36 weeks · 2019PostmenopausalCited 89 timesPubMed

Postmenopausal breast cancer survivors did 3 months of walking plus resistance band training; fatigue effect sizes were small and not statistically significant, with inflammatory markers mediating change.

No difference foundRandomised trial · 46 women · 12 weeks · 2014PostmenopausalCited 70 timesPubMed

Postmenopausal breast cancer survivors did 3 months of walking and resistance band training; the exercise group reported fewer hours of sleep per night versus control, mediated by inflammation and fatigue.

Mixed resultsRandomised trial · 46 women · 12 weeks · 2015PostmenopausalCited 47 timesPubMed

Postmenopausal women with fibromyalgia did 21 weeks of combined strength and endurance training, which improved leg strength, workload, walking and stair climbing, and fatigue.

Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 26 women · 21 weeks · 2008PostmenopausalCited 44 timesPubMed

Postmenopausal women did 16 weeks of jazz dance or concurrent aerobic and resistance training; both reduced anxiety, depression and stress, with some differences in timing and mood domains.

Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 70 women · 16 weeks · 2025PostmenopausalCited 4 timesPubMed

In 66 early postmenopausal women, eight weeks of combined aerobic and resistance training, delivered in person or via app, reduced menopausal symptoms, fatigue, and improved sleep versus education alone.

Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 66 women · 8 weeks · 2026Early postmenopausalPubMed