What does this research mean for the field?

A 12-week combined resistance and aerobic exercise program significantly improves vasomotor symptoms severity in postmenopausal women. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.NOVEL_FINDING. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.SUPPORTS_CONSENSUS.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate how a 12-week exercise program affects vasomotor symptoms and quality of life in postmenopausal women.

January 10, 2026Open Access

Effects of exercise training on vasomotor symptoms and quality of life in postmenopausal women: a randomized controlled trial

Key Result

A 12-week combined resistance and aerobic exercise program significantly improved vasomotor symptoms severity (η²=0.81, p < 0.001) in postmenopausal women.

Key Points

To evaluate how a 12-week exercise program affects vasomotor symptoms and quality of life in postmenopausal women.
Conducted a 12-week randomized controlled trial
Enrolled 38 postmenopausal women aged 45–65 with moderate or severe vasomotor symptoms
Participants engaged in combined resistance and aerobic training or were placed in a control group
Assessed outcomes using MENQOL, MRS, and PSQI questionnaires
Analyzed data using mixed-model repeated-measures ANOVA
Exercise group showed large reduction in VMS severity (η²=0.81, p < 0.001)
Improvements noted in somatic symptoms (η²=0.62, p < 0.01) and quality of life
Significant enhancements in psychosocial and physical domains of MENQOL and psychological symptoms of MRS
Improved sleep quality as measured by PSQI (p < 0.01)
No significant differences in sexual domains between groups (p > 0.05)

Structured PICO

Does a 12-week combined resistance and aerobic training program improve vasomotor symptoms and quality of life in postmenopausal women with moderate or severe VMS?

Population

38 postmenopausal women aged 45–65 years with moderate or severe vasomotor symptoms (VMS)

Intervention

12-week combined resistance and aerobic training program (resistance exercises using body weight twice weekly, and moderate-intensity outdoor walking three times weekly)

Comparator

Control group

Outcome

Change in VMS severity from baseline to week 12, assessed by the vasomotor domain of the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life (MENQOL) questionnairepatient reported

A 12-week combined resistance and aerobic exercise program significantly alleviates vasomotor symptoms and improves mood and sleep quality in postmenopausal women.

Main Result

Absolute Event Rate: 0% vs 0%

Abstract

Abstract Background The impact of structured exercise interventions on vasomotor symptoms (VMS), quality of life, and sleep disturbances in postmenopausal women is inconclusive. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a 12-week program combining resistance and aerobic training on these outcomes. Methods Thirty-eight postmenopausal women aged 45–65 years with moderate or severe VMS were randomized to a 12-week combined resistance and aerobic training program (n = 20) or a control group (n = 18). Resistance exercises using body weight were performed twice weekly, and moderate-intensity outdoor walking three times weekly. The primary outcome was the change in VMS severity from baseline to week 12, assessed by the vasomotor domain of the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life (MENQOL) questionnaire. Secondary outcomes were changes in quality of life and sleep quality assessed with the MENQOL, Menopause Rating Scale (MRS), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Data were analyzed using mixed-model repeated-measures ANOVA to compare within- and between-group changes. Results Of the 38 participants enrolled, 36 completed the trial. The exercise group showed a large improvement in VMS severity (MENQOL vasomotor domain, η²=0.81, p 0.05). Conclusions A combination of resistance and aerobic exercise training is an effective way to alleviate menopausal symptoms, particularly the severity of VMS, and improve mood and sleep quality in postmenopausal women. Registry ClinicalTrials.gov, Trial registration: NCT05892094, Registration date: 17 May 2023.

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