A review of eight randomised trials in climacteric women found aerobic exercise improved menopause symptoms and quality of life, while resistance training strengthened muscles and increased bone density.
Reported an improvementMeta-analysis · 2025Midlife womenCited 11 timesPubMed
A meta-analysis of 24 RCTs found progressive exercise training, including resistance, aerobic, impact, vibration and tai chi, improved bone mineral density and, in some studies, quality of life.
Reported an improvementMeta-analysis · 2025Midlife womenCited 6 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal breast cancer survivors who cycled three times weekly for 15 weeks had greater increases in peak oxygen consumption and overall quality of life than a non-exercising control group.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 52 women · 15 weeks · 2003PostmenopausalCited 519 timesPubMed
Sedentary postmenopausal women with elevated blood pressure exercised at 50, 100 or 150 percent of recommended levels for 6 months; higher exercise doses produced larger improvements in most quality of life measures.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 430 women · 26 weeks · 2009PostmenopausalCited 181 timesPubMed
A systematic review of 11 studies in peri and postmenopausal women found pelvic floor and mind-body exercise programs most linked to improved sexual function, while aerobic exercise showed inconsistent results and resistance training showed no benefit.
Mixed resultsSystematic review · 2020Midlife womenCited 42 timesPubMed
Overweight postmenopausal women did 12 months of diet, aerobic exercise, or both; combined diet and exercise improved quality of life and stress more than exercise alone.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 439 women · 52 weeks · 2011PostmenopausalCited 133 timesPubMed
A systematic review of randomized trials found exercise, including Tai Chi, aerobic exercise and pilates, improved bone mineral density and quality of life in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.
Reported an improvementSystematic review · 2020PostmenopausalCited 34 timesPubMed
A network meta-analysis of 31 RCTs in peri and postmenopausal women found combined exercise and flexibility exercise were most effective for improving sleep quality, with mind-body and aerobic exercise also helpful.
Reported an improvementMeta-analysis · 2025Midlife womenCited 1 timesPubMed
Peri- and postmenopausal women with hot flushes did 12 weeks of yoga classes or individualized aerobic exercise; yoga improved menopause-related quality of life scores versus usual activity, exercise did not.
Mixed resultsRandomised trial · 355 women · 12 weeks · 2014Midlife womenCited 62 timesPubMed
In 19 postmenopausal breast cancer survivors aged 40 to 65, 24 weeks of aerobic exercise improved processing speed versus usual lifestyle, but self-reported cognitive function did not differ.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 19 women · 24 weeks · 2018PostmenopausalCited 96 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women with low bone mass did weight-bearing exercise, aerobic dancing and flexibility work three times weekly for 12 months, and spinal bone density stabilized versus decline in controls, with improved fitness and wellbeing.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 124 women · 52 weeks · 1996PostmenopausalCited 104 timesPubMed
A systematic review of 13 RCTs with 1,470 perimenopausal and postmenopausal women found aerobic exercise, yoga, Pilates, resistance training, stretching and relaxation improved sleep quality and psychological wellbeing.
Reported an improvementSystematic review · 1,470 participants pooled · 2025Midlife womenCited 2 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.
Mixed resultsRandomised trial · 449 women · 2004Midlife womenCited 55 timesPubMed
In an 88 woman 12 week RCT, postmenopausal women practicing Hatha yoga reported lower menopausal symptom and depression scores and higher quality of life than control and exercise groups.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 88 women · 12 weeks · 2016PostmenopausalCited 48 timesPubMed
Sedentary postmenopausal women with hot flushes exercised three times weekly for 12 weeks; flush frequency decreased in some women and wellbeing improved, though less than with oestradiol therapy.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 30 women · 12 weeks · 2004PostmenopausalCited 69 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women on hormone therapy did 6 weeks of submaximal aerobic exercise three times weekly and showed improved strength, endurance, flexibility, balance and quality of life versus controls.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 81 women · 6 weeks · 2004PostmenopausalCited 48 timesPubMed
In a 12-week RCT of early menopausal women, aerobic exercise alone and combined with nutrition education reduced menopause symptom scores and improved quality of life more than control.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 108 women · 12 weeks · 2017Midlife womenCited 29 timesPubMed
In 44 postmenopausal women after hysterectomy, 6 months of moderate aerobic exercise improved quality of life and reduced menopausal symptoms regardless of whether estrogen therapy was also taken.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 44 women · 26 weeks · 2008PostmenopausalCited 43 timesPubMed
Sedentary postmenopausal women did 2 months of flamenco and sevillanas dance three times weekly, improving mobility, balance, physical activity, and fitness, but not blood pressure, weight, or quality of life.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 52 women · 8 weeks · 2016PostmenopausalCited 30 timesPubMed
Pooled data from 1,005 peri and postmenopausal women with hot flushes found yoga and aerobic exercise modestly improved menopause-related quality of life compared with control, with smaller effects than some drug treatments.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 1,005 women · 2020Midlife womenCited 14 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women who did supervised aerobic or resistance exercise 3 days a week for 8 weeks reported improved menopausal symptoms, lower depression and better quality of life, with no change in lipid profiles.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 36 women · 8 weeks · 2010PostmenopausalCited 31 timesPubMed
Sedentary postmenopausal women who did a year of moderate to vigorous aerobic exercise 45 minutes a day, 5 days a week maintained better physical functioning, general health, vitality and bodily pain than controls.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 320 women · 52 weeks · 2011PostmenopausalCited 17 timesPubMed
Breast cancer patients did 16 weeks of resistance plus HIIT or aerobic plus HIIT during chemotherapy; at 5 years fatigue did not differ from usual care, but gluteal pain sensitivity was reduced with resistance HIIT.
Direction not statedRandomised trial · 240 women · 16 weeks · 2024Midlife womenCited 13 timesPubMed
In 400 inactive postmenopausal women, a year of aerobic exercise at 300 versus 150 minutes per week showed no additional benefit for quality of life, sleep or mood.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 400 women · 52 weeks · 2017PostmenopausalCited 13 timesPubMed
Occupationally active menopausal women with symptoms did 24 weeks of aerobic exercise, which increased perceived mental resources and reduced physical strain but did not change overall work ability scores.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 123 women · 24 weeks · 2014Midlife womenCited 15 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women with stress incontinence did Rumba dance plus breathing training for 16 weeks and reported less urine leakage, stronger pelvic floor muscles and better quality of life.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 24 women · 16 weeks · 2022PostmenopausalCited 15 timesPubMed
Overweight postmenopausal women in a 12-month weight loss program with aerobic exercise and vitamin D or placebo showed no improvement in depressive symptoms or quality of life from vitamin D.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 52 weeks · 2016PostmenopausalCited 33 timesPubMed
A scoping review found one randomized study of a structured aerobic exercise program for menopausal women at work reported slight improvement in workability and mental strain.
Reported an improvementSystematic review · 2025Midlife womenCited 1 timesPubMed
In postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, 12 weeks of balance and coordination training improved balance, while strengthening exercise improved pain, and no falls occurred during follow-up.
Direction not statedRandomised trial · 12 weeks · 2018PostmenopausalCited 15 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.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 261 women · 52 weeks · 2017Midlife womenCited 3 timesPubMed
In 42 postmenopausal women, 12 weeks of Zumba training improved postural balance, lower limb strength, mood, and quality of life compared with baseline.
Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 42 women · 12 weeks · 2024PostmenopausalCited 3 timesPubMed
Postmenopausal women with osteopenia who did 24 weeks of aerobic dance showed increased femoral neck bone density, grip strength, and physical quality of life compared to controls.
Reported an improvementCohort study · 80 women · 24 weeks · 2019PostmenopausalCited 30 timesPubMed
In postmenopausal women followed 24 months after a year of moderate or high volume aerobic exercise, quality of life and sleep outcomes did not differ between the two exercise doses.
No difference foundRandomised trial · 333 women · 104 weeks · 2018PostmenopausalPubMed
Postmenopausal women on alendronate did resistance training, judo, water aerobics or no exercise for 12 months; resistance training and judo groups showed greater gains in spine bone density, balance and quality of life than controls.
Reported an improvementControlled trial · 35 women · 52 weeks · 2010PostmenopausalCited 13 timesPubMed
This study design paper describes a planned year long trial comparing high versus moderate volume aerobic exercise in inactive postmenopausal women, with results not yet reported.
Direction not statedOther · 400 women · 52 weeks · 2014PostmenopausalCited 29 timesPubMed
A review of trials in menopausal women reported that aerobic exercise and yoga were linked to improved mood, quality of life, insomnia and some vasomotor symptoms compared with no exercise.
Reported an improvementOther · 2009Midlife womenCited 66 timesPubMed
A 12 week trial design compared dumbbell resistance exercise and aerobic exercise for physical activity and quality of life in 102 Malaysian breast cancer survivors, stratified by menopausal status, with no results yet reported.
Direction not statedOther · 102 women · 12 weeks · 2016Midlife womenCited 6 timesPubMed
This review reported that perimenopausal and postmenopausal women benefit from endurance and strength exercise, improving fitness, bone health, and quality of life.
Reported an improvementOther · 2000Midlife womenCited 10 timesPubMed
Seven perimenopausal women who played walking football reported physical and mental health benefits, including reduced depressive symptoms and a supportive social environment.
Reported an improvementOther · 7 women · 2025PerimenopausalPubMed