A feasibility study investigating quantitative and qualitative effects of exercise in the workplace during work time for menopausal women

OBJECTIVES: 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. STUDY DESIGN: Of the 28 women (54.3 ± 6.5 years old; 162.6 ± 7.6 cm; 65.6 ± 12.5 kg) enrolled in the study, 22 completed it. It consisted in two testing sessions before and immediately after a 12-week exercise intervention that comprised two exercise classes (a choice from body conditioning, Zumba Gold, Pilates and high-intensity interval training) and two independent exercise sessions (exercise and timing of their choice) weekly. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Feasibility outcomes, including drop-out, retention and compliance, were measured during the intervention, and semi-structured interviews were conducted post-intervention. Psychological outcomes, menopause symptoms, physical activity levels and anthropometric and fitness variables were measured before and immediately after the intervention. RESULTS: Participants' drop-out, retention and compliance were 14.3%, 78.6% and 79%, respectively. The exercise programme had a positive effect in four main areas: positive organisational work culture, impact on menopausal physiological outcomes, impact on menopausal psychological outcomes, and improvements and growth for the programme. Finally, participation in the intervention was associated with favourable changes in body fat in the trunk, physical performance, menopause symptoms, mental health, and integrated and intrinsic motivation; however, the absence of a control group precludes causal inference. CONCLUSIONS: A workplace physical activity intervention during work time for menopausal women is feasible and was associated with favourable changes in several psychological and physical outcomes after 12 weeks, although the lack of a control group limits our ability to attribute these changes solely to the intervention.