Influence of menopausal status on physical function and performance: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective To compare the physical function and performance in pre-, peri-, and postmenopausal women. Study design A cross sectional study using convenience sampling method was conducted in 210 women categorized into premenopausal, perimenopausal, and postmenopausal. Main outcome measures Flexibility, muscle strength, muscle endurance, cardiovascular endurance, static balance, dynamic balance, and gait speed. Results The mean age of the premenopausal, perimenopausal, and postmenopausal women was 46.55 ± 1.77, 49.54 ± 3.38 and 54.85 ± 3.77 years respectively. There is significant difference observed between premenopausal, perimenopausal, and postmenopausal women in muscle strength, upper limb endurance, lower limb endurance, static balance, dynamic balance, gait speed, and cardiovascular endurance ( p < .05) using Kruskal Wallis test. There is no significant difference observed between the groups for flexibility ( p > .05). Conclusion It was observed that physical function and performance was impaired in postmenopausal women when compared to pre- and perimenopausal women. Hence, these components should be included during assessment which will provide a holistic and multimodal approach toward the understanding, planning and management of postmenopausal women in community settings.