Physical Activity Profile and Menopausal Symptoms in Postmenopausal Women

Year 2025, Volume: 12 Issue: 1, 95 - 109

Oğuzhan Mete , Hafize Altay , Şeyda Toprak Çelenay

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the physical activity profile of postmenopausal women and investigate the relationship between physical activity level and the severity of menopausal symptoms during this period.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 125 postmenopausal women (age: 56.69±4.93 years, body mass index: 30.28±5.10 kg/m2). The level of physical activity with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), menopause symptoms severity with the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS), and barriers to physical activity with a questionnaire formed by researchers.
Results: 51 (40.8%) of postmenopausal women were inactive, 57 (45.6%) of them were minimally active, and 17 (13.6%) of them had very active physical activity levels. The most frequently reported physical activity barriers were "I don't have friends to do physical activity with me.", "I can't do regular physical activity due to my family responsibilities.", "I don't have the energy to do a physical activity/I'm too tired." and "I prefer to rest or social activities instead of physical therapy.” A negative correlation was observed between IPAQ score and MRS total, somatic, psychological, and urogenital scores, respectively (rho=-0.412, p<0.001; rho=-0.261, p=0.001; rho=-0.364, p<0.001; rho=-0.327, p<0.001).
Conclusion: This study showed that as the physical activity level decreased, the severity of menopausal symptoms increased in postmenopausal women. Family responsibilities, absence of a physical activity partner, low energy/fatigue, and predominance of rest/social activity preference were the leading barriers to physical activity in postmenopausal women.

Keywords

Barriers, physical activity, women, post menopause

Postmenopozal Dönemdeki Kadınlarda Fiziksel Aktivite Profili ve Menopozal Semptomlar

Abstract

Amaç: Bu çalışma postmenopozal dönemdeki kadınların fiziksel aktivite profilini incelemeyi ve bu dönemdeki kadınlarda fiziksel aktivite seviyesi ile menopozal semptomların şiddeti arasındaki ilişkiyi araştırmayı amaçladı.
Gereç ve Yöntem: Bu kesitsel çalışmaya 125 postmenopozal kadın dahil edildi (yaş: 56,69±4,93 yıl, beden kütle indeksi: 30,28±5,10 kg/m2). Fiziksel aktivite seviyesi Uluslararası Fiziksel Aktivite Anketi (UFAA) ile, menopoz semptomları şiddeti Menopoz Semptomları Değerlendirme Ölçeği (MSDÖ) ile ve fiziksel aktivite bariyerleri ise araştırmacılar tarafından oluşturulan bir anket ile değerlendirildi.
Bulgular: Postmenopozal kadınların 51’i (%40,8) inaktif, 57’si (%45,6) minimal aktif ve 17’si (%13,6) çok aktif fiziksel aktivite seviyesine sahipti. En fazla bildirilen fiziksel aktivite bariyerleri ‘’Benimle fiziksel aktivite yapacak arkadaşım yok.’’, ‘’Ailesel sorumluluklarımdan dolayı düzenli fiziksel aktivite yapamıyorum.’’, ‘’Fiziksel aktivite yapmak için enerjim yok/çok yoruluyorum.’’ ve ‘’Serbest zamanlarımda fiziksel aktivite yapmak yerine dinlenmeyi/diğer sosyal aktiviteleri yapmayı tercih ediyorum.’’ şeklindeydi. UFAA puanı ile sırasıyla MSDÖ toplam, somatik, psikolojik ve ürogenital puanları arasında negatif yönde bir ilişki görüldü (rho=-0,412, p<0,001; rho=-0,261, p=0,001; rho=-0,364, p<0,001; rho=-0,327, p<0,001).
Sonuç: Bu çalışma ile postmenopozal dönemdeki kadınlarda fiziksel aktivite seviyesi azaldıkça menopozal semptomların şiddetinin arttığı görüldü. Postmenopozal kadınlarda ailevi sorumluluklar, fiziksel aktivite partnerinin yokluğu, enerji düşüklüğü/çabuk yorulma ve dinlenme/sosyal aktivite tercihinin baskınlığı fiziksel aktivite için önde gelen bariyerlerdi.

Keywords

Bariyerler, fiziksel aktivite, kadın sağlığı, postmenopoz.

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