Author(s): DELEXTRAT, A., WALSH, G., SABIR, L., BAINES, K., FLETCHER, M., BIBBEY, A., Institution: OXFORD BROOKES UNIVERSITY, Country: UNITED KINGDOM, Abstract-ID: 361

INTRODUCTION:
The menopause is associated with many physical (eg, hot flushes) and psychological (eg, anxiety) symptoms [1]. Physical exercise has some benefits to reduce these symptoms, however lack of time is cited as the main barrier to take part in physical exercise in this population [3]. Therefore our objective was to investigate the feasibility of exercise classes undertaken in the workplace during work time in healthy menopausal women, and to study the potential benefits of this intervention.
METHODS:
Twenty-eight women (54.3±6.5 years old; 162.6±7.6 cm; 65.6±12.5 kg) performed two testing sessions before and immediately after a 12-week exercise intervention including two exercise classes and two independent exercise sessions weekly. Feasibility outcomes were measured during the intervention, and semi-structured interviews were conducted post-intervention. Psychological (Menopause Rating Scale (MRS), 12-item Short- Form Health Survey (SF-12), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) questionnaire, Self-efficacy for exercise (SEE) questionnaire, Behavioural Regulations in Exercise Questionnaire (BREQ-3) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ)) and physical outcomes (body composition, balance, 30-s sit-to-stand (STS) test, and 6-min walk test (6MW) were measured before and immediately after the intervention.
RESULTS:
Participants’ drop-out, retention and compliance were 14.3%, 78.6% and 70±32%, respectively. The exercise programme had a positive effect on the four main themes identified: positive organisation work culture, impact on menopausal physiological outcomes, impact on menopausal psychological outcomes, and improvements and growth for the program. Finally, significant improvements between pre- and post-intervention were observed in some MRS items (p=0.007 to 0.038), BREQ-3 (p=0.001 to 0.041), SF-12 (p=0.028), IPAQ (p=0.039), while body fat was significantly decreased (p=0.026) and STS (0.047) and 6MWT (p<0.001) were significantly improved.
CONCLUSION:
A workplace physical activity intervention during work time for menopausal women is feasible and induces significant psychological and physical benefits after 12 weeks.

REFERENCES

1-Dalal PK, Agarwal M; Postmenopausal syndrome. Indian J Psych. 2015; 57(Suppl): S222-S32.

2-Gabriel KP, Mason JM, Sternfeld B; Recent evidence exploring the associations between physical activity and menopausal symptoms in midlife women: perceived risks and possible health benefits. Womens Midlife Health 2015; 1: 1.

3-Dugan SA, Karavolos K, Lynch EB, et al.; A Multimethod Investigation Into Physical Activity in Midlife Women. J Phys Act Health 2016; 13(12): 1351-1359.