Original Research Article
Year: 2018 | Month: July | Volume: 8 | Issue: 7 | Pages: 170-176
Level of Physical Activity and Attitude towards Physical Activity in Perimenopausal Women in India
Dr. Jyoti Parle1, Dr. Neha N. Dhobale 2
1Associate Professor, 2Physiotherapist,
MGM College of Physiotherapy, Sector-18, Kamothe, Navi Mumbai-410209 Maharashtra, India
Corresponding Author: Neha N. Dhobale
ABSTRACT
Context: Perimenopause, also called menopausal transitional phase, is a period during which a female’s body undergoes changes and transitions to menopause. Women in this phase do experience a lot of menopausal symptoms. Several studies have shown that physical activities reduce menopausal symptoms. But there are very few studies assessing the perimenopausal women’s level of physical activity and attitude towards physical activity.
Aim: To study the level of physical activity and attitude towards physical activity in perimenopausal women of India.
Materials and Method: 125 perimenopausal women were conveniently selected on the basis of the primary criteria of Stages of Reproductive Aging Workshop +10. They were then given questionnaires consisting of Demographic data, Menopause Rating Scale (MRS), International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) Long form (self-administer format) and a self-made questionnaire for determining the attitude towards physical activity (self-administer format).
Result: The data was analysed by descriptive statistics and correlated using Spearman’s correlation. The most common menopausal symptoms experienced were joint and muscular discomfort followed by irritability and depressive mood. It was found that majority women performed moderate level physical activity. There was a negative correlation between psychological subscale score of MRS and IPAQ score. Majority of the women thought physical activity was important to lead healthy life.
Conclusion: Majority women performed moderate level of physical activity and generally had a positive attitude towards physical activity.
Key words: Perimenopausal women, menopausal symptoms, physical activity level, attitude towards physical activity.