Endurance Exercise Effect on Quality of Life and Menopausal Symptoms in Nigerian Women

Introduction: Women in the menopausal stage of life usually have climacteric symptoms of hot flashes, back pain, sleeplessness, night sweats and increased risk of cardiovascular disorders. Although physical exercises have been documented to favourably alleviate some of these problems, there's a paucity of knowledge of their effects on menopausal women in Nigeria.

Objectives: This study investigated the effect of a twelve-week Endurance Exercise Programme (EEP) on quality of life(QOL) and menopausal symptoms in these women.

Methods: Participants were purposively recruited and assigned into perimenopausal and postmenopausal groups based on history of thier last menstrual period and from each of these groups randomized into: perimenopausal exercise group (PEMEG), postmenopausal exercise group (POMEG), perimenopausal control group (PEMCG) postmenopausal control group (POMCG). Quality of life (QOL), Menopausal symptoms - Back Pain (BP) and hot flashes (HF) among other variables, were evaluated at baseline and 4 weekly intervals. EEP consisted of a 10-station circuit of muscular and cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, coordination, abdominal and pelvic floor muscle exercises.

Results: One hundred and seventy five menopausal women, mean age 52.3 +/- 4.1 years. Significant changes occurred between baseline and end of 12th week mean values of PEMEG for QOL: 565.9 +/- 108.8 vs 725.0 +/- 42.9 and BP 4.42 +/- 1.7 vs 1.00 +/- 0.0. (p= 0.000). Also, in POMEG: QOL 558.3 +/- 127.7 vs 736.5 +/- 44.8; and BP 5.37 +/- 1.48 vs 1.88 +/- 1.18 (p=0.000). Significant changes in QOL and BP did not occur in the control groups.

Conclusion: Routine participation in endurance exercise programme is recommended for menopausal women for improved QOL.