Physical exercise training and menopause: effects on body composition and quality of life

Federica Moro; Federica De Luca; Natascia Rinaldo; Mario Mauro; Pasqualino Maietta Latessa; Emanuela Gualdi-Russo; Luciana Zaccagni; Stefania Toselli

doi:10.20330/AnthropKozl.2026.67s.54

Federica Moro Department for Life Quality Studies, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
Federica De Luca Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
Natascia Rinaldo Department for Life Quality Studies, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
Mario Mauro Department for Life Quality Studies, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
Pasqualino Maietta Latessa Department for Life Quality Studies, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
Emanuela Gualdi-Russo Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
Luciana Zaccagni Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
Stefania Toselli Department for Life Quality Studies, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy

DOI: https://doi.org/10.20330/AnthropKozl.2026.67s.54

Keywords: Menopause, Physical exercise, Quality of life, Body composition

Abstract

Background: Menopause, defined as the cessation of menstruation for a continuous period of 12 months, marks a significant transition in a woman’s life, typically occurring around age 51, characterised by physical and psychological changes that can negatively affect overall health and quality of life.

Objective: This longitudinal study is designed as a non-randomized controlled trial to investigate the effects of a 12-week supervised physical exercise program on body composition, body image perception, and quality of life in a sample of Italian menopausal women.

Subjects and methods: Thirty-seven postmenopausal women were assigned to either an exercise intervention group (n=22), which performed two 60-minute sessions weekly of a combined exercises training, or a non-exercising control group (n=15). Anthropometric data (stature, weight, circumferences, skinfold thicknesses), bioelectrical impedance analysis, and air displacement plethysmography were collected. Body image perception and quality of life were assessed using Thompson & Gray’s silhouettes and the MENQOL questionnaire, respectively. The handgrip strength test and the treadmill stress test were performed to assess upper limb muscular strength and aerobic capacity, respectively. Differences between pre-and post- data were assessed by the t-test for dependent samples.

Results: Compared with the control group, the intervention group showed a mild reduction in body fat mass, along with a significant decrease in biceps (p=0.01) and suprailiac (p=0.04) skinfold thickness. Additionally, significant improvements were observed in bioelectrical impedance parameters, with increased reactance (p=0.04) and phase angle (p=0.01), in handgrip strength (right: p<0.01; left: p=0.02), and peak oxygen consumption (p<0.01). Moreover, significant reductions were observed in menopause-related symptoms, particularly in psychosocial (e.g., dissatisfaction with personal life: p=0.01), physical (e.g., back and neck pain: p<0.01), and sexual (e.g., avoidance of intimacy: p<0.01) domains.

Conclusions: A combined exercises training program can significantly improve in body composition, muscle strength, aerobic capacity, and multiple domains of well-being in postmenopausal women. Due to the limited sample size, further studies with larger cohorts are essential to confirm these preliminary results.

References

References: None.