Does impact and jumping affect quality of life in menopause? What 15 studies found

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

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

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

In 58 postmenopausal women over 6 months, whole-body vibration increased hip and spine bone density while high-impact exercise did not, and both improved mobility, quality of life and depressive symptoms.

Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 58 women · 26 weeks · 2020PostmenopausalCited 53 timesPubMed

Postmenopausal women with osteopenia did 6 months of strengthening or high-impact exercise; high-impact training increased bone density at spine and hip and both improved quality of life.

Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 42 women · 26 weeks · 2013PostmenopausalCited 48 timesPubMed

Postmenopausal women with osteopenia did 52 weeks of hip-targeted strength, balance and jumping exercise with calcium, and showed a small hip bone density benefit plus better quality of life versus controls.

Reported an improvementRandomised trial · 39 women · 52 weeks · 2012PostmenopausalCited 49 timesPubMed

A scoping review of 20 studies found resistance training combined with impact activity improved bone density in menopausal women, with greater benefit when combined with hormone therapy than either alone.

Direction not statedSystematic review · 2025Midlife womenCited 5 timesPubMed

115 postmenopausal women with low bone mass did 8 months of high-intensity resistance and impact training or low-intensity Pilates, and pelvic floor related quality of life did not differ between groups.

No difference foundRandomised trial · 115 women · 32 weeks · 2025PostmenopausalCited 4 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

Postmenopausal women with low bone mass who did 3 months of weight-bearing and resistance exercise showed increased bone formation markers, strength, and improved quality of life.

Reported an improvementBefore-and-after study · 33 women · 12 weeks · 2019PostmenopausalCited 38 timesPubMed

77 postmenopausal women with low bone mass did water-based weight-bearing exercise for 12 months, improving fitness and wellbeing but not preventing spinal bone density decline.

Reported an improvementBefore-and-after study · 77 women · 52 weeks · 1997PostmenopausalCited 26 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.

Direction not statedBefore-and-after study · 42 women · 26 weeks · 2015PostmenopausalCited 7 timesPubMed

This protocol describes an 8 month trial testing high-intensity resistance and impact exercise combined with romosozumab versus low-intensity exercise in 102 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, results not yet reported.

Direction not statedOther · 102 women · 32 weeks · 2024PostmenopausalCited 5 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

A pilot RCT protocol will test a 9-month high-intensity resistance and impact training program in 40 perimenopausal and early postmenopausal women, assessing feasibility and bone, muscle and function measures.

Direction not statedOther · 40 women · 36 weeks · 2025PerimenopausalCited 2 timesPubMed