25, February 2026

Barriers and benefits to physical activity among menopausal women: a cross-sectional study

VOLUME-12; ISSUE-2; FEB-2026

Author(s): Prerana Saravanan, Almas Mansoor, Foram Ravaiya, Maryam Refai

Authors Affiliations:

1Lecturer, The Sarvajanik College of Physiotherapy, Surat, Gujarat, India

2Private Practitioner, Surat, Gujarat, India

DOIs:10.2015/IJIRMF/202602021     |     Paper ID: IJIRMF202602021


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Abstract:    Background: Menopause is a critical physiological transition characterized by the cessation of ovarian function and significant hormonal shifts, which often lead to vasomotor symptoms, metabolic alterations and psychological distress. While physical activity is a primary non-pharmacological intervention for managing these symptoms, participation rates remain suboptimal in many populations. Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of physical activity, identify perceived benefits and barriers to exercise and assess self-efficacy levels among menopausal women in Surat, Gujarat. Methods: A cross-sectional design was utilized to recruit 385 menopausal women (aged 45–65 years). Data were collected using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF), Exercise Benefit/Barrier Scale (EBBS) and Self-Efficacy to Exercise (SEE) scale. Anthropometric measurements including Body Mass Index (BMI) and Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR) were also recorded to assess health risks. Results: Anthropometric analysis revealed that 44.9% of participants were overweight and 69.1% exhibited a high-risk WHR, indicating significant cardiovascular vulnerability. Regarding activity, 48.8% reported moderate physical activity levels. While 51.4% perceived high benefits of exercise, only 37.1% demonstrated high self-efficacy. Statistical analysis confirmed that self-efficacy and perceived benefits were significantly correlated with physical activity levels (p < .001). Conclusion: Menopausal women in this cohort face substantial cardiovascular risks linked to central adiposity. Despite recognizing exercise benefits, engagement is hindered by high perceived barriers and low-to-moderate self-efficacy. Targeted physiotherapy interventions must address these cognitive-behavioral barriers to improve health outcomes and reduce the burden of chronic disease in this demographic.

Menopause, Physical Activity, Self efficacy, Barriers and Facilitators, Women’s Health, Central Adiposity

Prerana Saravanan,  Almas Mansoor,  Foram Ravaiya,  Maryam Refai (2026); Barriers and benefits to physical activity among menopausal women: a cross-sectional study, International Journal for Innovative Research in Multidisciplinary Field, ISSN(O): 2455-0620, Vol-12, Issue-2, Available on –   https://www.ijirmf.com/

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