Does general physical activity affect muscle strength in menopause? What 14 studies found

Postmenopausal women with low vitamin D took placebo or cholecalciferol for a year, and researchers found no differences in bone density, muscle mass, muscle function or falls between groups.

No difference foundRandomised trial · 230 women · 52 weeks · 2015PostmenopausalCited 117 timesPubMed

A review found exercise in peri and postmenopausal women modestly increases or preserves bone density and improves muscle strength and balance, but direct proof it reduces fractures is lacking.

Reported an improvementSystematic review · 2004Midlife womenCited 25 timesPubMed

Postmenopausal women took hormone therapy or placebo for 6 months; grip strength rose in both groups and knee strength did not change, with no difference between groups.

No difference foundRandomised trial · 40 women · 26 weeks · 2002PostmenopausalCited 40 timesPubMed

In a 9-year follow-up of peri-menopausal women from an exercise trial, hormone therapy use, not the original exercise program, was linked to maintained bone mineral content, while fitness declined with age regardless.

Reported a worseningRandomised trial · 80 women · 468 weeks · 2005PerimenopausalCited 16 timesPubMed

Postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis did a 16 week Tai Chi based activity program and showed improved grip strength, walking speed, disease activity and quality of life versus usual care.

Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 62 women · 16 weeks · 2023PostmenopausalCited 6 timesPubMed

In a 6-month RCT, moderate physical exercise increased urinary bone collagen crosslinks and improved muscle strength and flexibility in both premenopausal and postmenopausal women.

Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 70 women · 26 weeks · 2017Midlife womenCited 1 timesPubMed

In a follow-up of 33 postmenopausal Korean women with osteosarcopenia, six months after stopping resistance or home exercise, muscle strength, gait speed and bone density declined while muscle mass stayed stable.

Reported a worseningRandomised trial · 33 women · 2026PostmenopausalPubMed

In 309 Australian women aged 36 to 57, higher moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, but not sedentary time, was associated with better bone density, leg strength and functional mobility.

Reported an improvementCross-sectional study · 309 women · 2017Midlife womenCited 39 timesPubMed

A six month community exercise program for perimenopausal and menopausal women improved quality of life and physical condition, especially aerobic fitness, strength and balance, versus inactive controls.

Reported an improvementControlled trial · 26 weeks · 2022Midlife womenCited 6 timesPubMed

In 1,166 postmenopausal women, those able to stand on one foot or squat to the floor had greater grip and quadriceps strength than those who could not.

Reported an improvementCross-sectional study · 1,166 women · 2004PostmenopausalCited 18 timesPubMed

In 137 overweight, sedentary postmenopausal women, a cross-sectional study found higher physical activity energy expenditure was linked to better insulin sensitivity and lower metabolic syndrome risk.

No difference foundCross-sectional study · 137 women · 2008PostmenopausalCited 17 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

In 175 postmenopausal women, insufficient physical activity was the strongest predictor of slow gait speed, with nearly four times higher odds of functional decline than active women.

Direction not statedCross-sectional study · 175 women · 2025PostmenopausalPubMed

A review of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis found most studies reported exercise improved quality of life and physical domains like muscle strength and balance.

Reported an improvementOther · 2014PostmenopausalCited 11 timesPubMed