Exercise preferences and perceptions of women during the menopausal transition

High-intensity resistance and impact training (HiRIT) may be more effective than low- to-moderate-intensity resistance training for improving bone health. However, it is unclear if women want to participate in HiRIT interventions. We developed an electronic survey and distributed it to Canadian women aged 40-60 years via social media. The primary objective was to understand how women in peri-menopause, early post-menopause, and late post-menopause perceive resistance training and their interest in participating in a HiRIT protocol designed to reduce bone loss and menopausal symptoms. Our second objective was to determine whether current exercise preferences, motivators, and barriers differed across the menopause continuum. The survey included questions to determine menopausal status, exercise perceptions and preferences, and demographics. 1648 women responded to the advertisements, 1007 started the survey, 996 consented, 975 were eligible, and 739 completed the survey. Of the completed respondents, 628 respondents were in peri-menopause (46.7%), early post-menopause (31.5%), or late post-menopause (21.8%). 86.5% of women expressed interest in participating in a resistance training protocol to improve bone health, and 71.8% were interested in participating in a HiRIT study targeting bone health and menopause symptoms. Key motivators of exercise were improving or maintaining general health (17.4%) and strength (15.2%). The main barriers were lack of time (23.6%) and cost (14.3%), with no differences between menopausal status. Peri- and post-menopausal women are interested in resistance training, aiming to improve bone health and reduce menopausal symptoms. This information will be used to develop a HiRIT program for women during the menopause transition.