The importance of continued exercise participation in quality of life and psychological well-being in previously inactive postmenopausal women: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
Exercise and physical activity provide a wide range of health benefits for postmenopausal women, although the impact of maintained exercise participation on psychological well-being is unclear. An exploration of continued exercise participation in psychological well-being after a moderate-intensity exercise program in previously inactive postmenopausal women was therefore undertaken.


METHODS
: Twenty-three healthy sedentary postmenopausal women (age 56 +/- 4 years) were randomly assigned to two groups. All participants completed the Short Form-36, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Health Anxiety Questionnaire (HAQ) and then began a 6-week walking program at 50% heart rate reserve defined by (.-)V(O(2)) treadmill testing. Post-intervention, all participants underwent (.-)V(O(2)) treadmill testing and questionnaires. Group 1 was then instructed to continue exercising, whereas group 2 was instructed to desist for an additional 6-week period. On completion of the 6-week follow-up, participants completed a final set of questionnaires.


RESULTS
Participants performed 97% of the prescribed 15-hour (900 minute) exercise program (875.1 +/- 177.4 minutes) in an average of 26 +/- 5 sessions. Total HAQ (P = 0.001), health worry (P = 0.001), fear of illness (P = 0.037), reassurance seeking behavior (P = 0.037), SF-36 well-being (P = 0.037), total HADS (P = 0.019), and HADS depression (P = 0.015) improved significantly following the exercise program. At follow-up, group 1 had lower HADS anxiety (P = 0.013), total HADS (P = 0.02), total HAQ (P = 0.03), and HAQ interference with life (P = 0.03) and significantly higher SF-36 energy (P = 0.01) than group 2.


CONCLUSIONS
Healthy postmenopausal women gain significant psychological benefit from moderate-intensity exercise. However, exercise participation must continue to maintain improvements in psychological well-being and quality of life.
Asbury
Elizabeth A
EA
Department of Cardiac Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom. e.asbury@imperial.ac.uk
Chandrruangphen
Pornpat
P
Collins
Peter
P
D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D010865:Pilot Projects; D017698:Postmenopause; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome