BENEFITS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ON MENOPAUSAL SYMPTOMS. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Abstract

Menopause is a period in a woman's life when ovarian follicular activity stops, with the presence of muscle weakness in daily activities. Physical activity could reduce the symptoms of fatigue, improving women's health and decreasing the likelihood of cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this review was to analyse physical activity intervention programmes developed in women in the perimenopausal or menopausal period, in order to assess their effects and benefits on women's health. The search was carried out in the Web of Science and Scopus databases, using the descriptors "menopause and physical activity" and "randomized controlled trial". Of the 553 results initially obtained, 23 articles met the inclusion criteria and were selected for this review. The results show the impact of different training methods applied to women around the menopausal period on body composition, blood biochemistry or mental health. In conclusion, the scientific literature consulted shows the feasibility and efficacy of intervention programmes based on physical exercise for the improvement of mental state and physical capacities related to health and quality of life during and after the menopausal stage.