EVALUATION OF HEALTH-RELATED PHYSICAL FITNESS, DEPRESSION AND QUALITY OF SLEEP IN PERI AND POST MENOPAUSAL WOMEN – A PILOT ANALYTICAL DESCRIPTIVE STUDY

Menopause marks a crucial phase in every woman's life, signalling the natural end of reproductive years and bringing about significant hormonal changes. Perimenopausal and postmenopausal women often experience physiological and psychological changes due to these hormonal fluctuations, which can adversely affect Health-Related Physical Fitness (HRPF), sleep quality, and mental well-being—sometimes leading to issues like depression. This pilot analytical descriptive study was conducted to assess and compare Health-Related Physical Fitness (HRPF), sleep quality, and depressive symptoms in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. A total of 50 women, aged 45–60 years, were enrolled and equally divided into two groups., Using standardized outcome tools—such as the 6-Minute Walk Test, Sit-and-Reach Test, Partial Curl-Up Test, Waist-Hip Ratio, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and CES-D Depression Scale—the study revealed that perimenopausal women exhibited significantly better aerobic capacity compared to their postmenopausal counterparts (p = 0.02). However, other HRPF components like flexibility, muscular endurance, and waist-hip ratio, as well as anthropometric measures (BMI, height, and weight), did not show significant differences between the groups. Both groups demonstrated poor sleep quality and elevated depressive symptoms, with postmenopausal women trending toward worse outcomes, though these differences were not statistically significant.
These findings align with previous literature suggesting that the menopausal transition adversely affects cardiovascular endurance, sleep, and mental health. The study emphasizes the need for early, targeted interventions—including structured physical activity programs and mental health support—to maintain functional fitness and improve overall quality of life in menopausal women. Further research with larger, more diverse populations is recommended to better understand the interplay between menopause, physical health, and psychological well-being.