Affiliations: School of Health Sciences, University of Tampere,
Tampere, Finland | UKK Institute for Health Promotion Research, Tampere,
Finland | Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki,
Finland | Tampere University Central Hospital, Tampere,
Finland
Note: [] Corresponding author: Reetta Rutanen, School of Health
Sciences, University of Tampere, Tampere FI – 33014, Finland. Tel.: +358
40 5395993; E-mail: reetta.rutanen@uta.fi
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Menopause related symptoms modify quality of life and
may also have an impact on work ability. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of
physical exercise on work ability and daily strain among women with menopausal
symptoms. METHODS: Occupationally active symptomatic menopausal women (n=123)
were randomized into 24-week aerobic exercise intervention and control groups.
Mobile phone questionnaires were used to collect daily data on perceived
physical and mental strain in a randomised and controlled setting. Work ability
was measured with the Work Ability Index (WAI) and with questions about work
strain. PARTICIPANTS: In all 123 women aged 44–62 (mean age 53.8
± 3.4) years who worked full- or part-time participated in the study.
Women were randomized into a control (n=60) and intervention group (n=63). The
subjects were mostly working in mentally demanding jobs (e.g. office worker),
but also in physical (e.g. cleaner) and mixed (physical and mental) jobs (e.g.
nurse). RESULTS: The increase in mental resources and decrease in physical
strain from baseline to end were statistically significantly greater among the
intervention group than among the control group. Between-group differences in
the change in WAI were, however, statistically non-significant. CONCLUSION: A 6-month physical exercise intervention among
symptomatic menopausal women seems not to be enough to increase perceived work
ability but the physical exercise may increase perceived mental resources and
decrease perceived daily physical strain.}
Keywords: Work ability, work strain, physical exercise, menopause, randomized controlled trial
