| Peri- and postmenopausal women are the fastest growing population segment in the world. Menopause is often characterized by the presence of vasomotor, psychosocial, and physical symptoms that can have a significant negative affect on women's QOL. Although every woman will eventually transition through menopause, there is still a significant lack of research focusing on health behaviors that might have positive effect on QOL by alleviating or even preventing menopausal symptoms. The purpose of this study was to contribute to the gap in research by examining the role physical activity has as one such health behavior. Specifically, the study's aim was to evaluate the relationship between physical activity and menopause-specific QOL among perimenopausal women, focusing on evaluating if participation in low, moderate, or vigorous physical activity increases menopause-specific QOL and if a dose-response relationships exists between increased physical activity level and QOL rating.;A cross-sectional, correlational study was conducted on primarily white women aged 40-55 years living in the Austin, Texas area. The sample of ( N = 63) was recruited using a convenience sampling method. Symptoms of menopause, menopause-specific QOL, and level of physical activity were assessed through a self-administered questionnaire packet consisting of four surveys. Data analysis included (a) descriptive statistics, (b) multiple regression, (c) MANOVA, (d) bivariate and partial correlation.;The findings of this study revealed a significant negative correlation between physical activity and both total Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MENQOL) score (r= -.30; p < .05) and total symptoms experienced (r =-.33; p < .01), indicating that physical activity increases QOL in perimenopausal. Multiple regression analyses indicated that MENQOL scores were associated with changes in both physical activity level (low (beta = .59, p = .000) and vigorous (beta = .29, p < .05)) and weekly work hours (beta = .24, p < .05). Additionally, an analysis of variance showed that the effect of PA level on total MENQOL score was significant, F(2,60) = 12.89, p < .001. The results revealed that women with low physical activity levels have higher MENQOL scores (M=14.39, SD=4.21) than those participating in moderate (M=8.94, SD=2.18) or vigorous physical activity (M=11.77, SD=4.43), indicating that those participating in moderate physical activity have the highest QOL, followed by those participating in vigorous, and lastly those with low physical activity. Physical activity also had a significant effect on specific menopause symptoms, F(2,60) = 9.59, p < .001, to include hot flashes, sweating, weight gain, feeling bloated, frequent urination, and avoiding intimacy. Women with low physical activity reported the highest frequency and greatest discomfort for all of these variables.;The discovery that moderate physical activity resulted in an increase in QOL higher than that of vigorous physical activity suggests that, although the level of physical activity plays an important role in QOL rating, the traditional dose-response relationship that exists between physical activity, where more physical activity leads to greater health benefits, may not be applicable in regards to menopause-specific QOL. However, the study findings do indicate that regardless of its level, physical activity has a favorable effect on both menopause symptoms and menopause-specific QOL. |
