Physical performance in basic functional tests in premenopausal, perimenopausal and post-menopausal women

Abstract

Background: Understanding the hormonal fluctuations and changes in the musculoskeletal system during menopause is important for health promotion and improving quality of life.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the physical ability of sedentary premenopausal, perimenopausal, and post-menopausal women.

Methods: Female participants between the ages of 37 and 65 years (n=53) were divided into three groups according to menopausal transition guidelines and underwent anthropometric and physical tests. Descriptive and inferential statistics were computed, including post-hoc pairwise comparisons and ANOVA for significance between the three groups (p<0.05). The Bonferroni correction for multiple tests was applied. Results were expressed as mean and standard deviation.

Results: Statistically significant differences were observed in weight (0.010) and waist circumference (0.0001) among the three groups. For the timed up-and-go test, premenopausal women performed significantly better than both perimenopausal (p=0.027) and postmenopausal women (p=0.0001). The one-minute push-up test showed a significant reduction in upper body strength from premenopause to postmenopause (p=0.002). The one-minute sit-up test showed significant declines between premenopause and postmenopause (p=0.001) and between perimenopause and postmenopause (p=0.030). The single-leg balance showed significant impairments in postmenopausal women compared to premenopausal women (p≤0.008 for both legs), and the sit-to-stand test revealed significant differences between premenopause and postmenopause (p=0.0001) and perimenopause and postmenopause (p=0.025).

Conclusion: Premenopausal women exhibited the highest p-value significance and mean scores in various parameters, followed by the perimenopausal and post-menopausal groups. Physical performance in basic muscle function tests suggests a decline in muscle strength and endurance during the menopausal transition.