title: The effect of exercise on quality of life in postmenopausal women referred to the Bone densitometry centers of Iran University of Medical Sciences.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  One of the most critical stages of women's lives is menopause and one of the aims of health for all in the 21st century is the improvement of the quality of life.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to determine the effect of exercise on quality of life in postmenopausal women.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was designed by a randomized-controlled trial. Eighty volunteer postmenopausal women who experienced the menopause period naturally and have been taking hormone replacement treatment (HRT) were divided into two groups randomly (exercise group n = 40, control group n = 40). The Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) was used to assess quality of life in both groups before and after 8 weeks. The exercise group participated in an exercise program, which was composed of sub-maximal aerobic exercises for an 8-week period 5 times a week. Quality of life in two groups was compared at the end of 8 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed that there was a statistically significant difference in the exercise group for the NHP indicating an improvement in the quality of life (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We concluded that quality of life on postmenopausal women could be improved with a regular and controlled exercise program of 8 weeks. Thus, implementing appropriate educational programs to promote the quality of life in postmenopausal women is recommended.
authors.affiliation: Center for Nursing Care Research, School of Nursing and Midwifery of Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Soghra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nikpour
authors.affiliation: Member of Scientific Board of Faculty of Management and Information, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Hamid
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Haghani
keywords: Exercise; menopause; quality of life