Associations Between Quality of Life, Functional Fitness, Body Composition, and Accelerometer-Measured Physical Activity in Postmenopausal Women: A Cross-Sectional Study

TL;DR

This study explores how physical activity, body composition, and fitness relate to quality of life in postmenopausal women.

Contribution

It identifies specific associations between higher-intensity activity and perceived physical health in this population.

Findings

Higher-intensity physical activity is moderately linked to better perceived physical health.

Total bone mineral density is positively associated with physical health perception.

Adiposity is inversely related to light and lifestyle activity levels.

Abstract

Introduction: Postmenopausal aging is accompanied by declines in functional fitness, changes in body composition, and increased osteoporosis risk, which may affect quality of life. Understanding how these factors interrelate is important for supporting healthy aging. Objective: To examine the associations between accelerometer-measured physical activity, functional fitness, DEXA-derived body composition and bone parameters, and quality of life in postmenopausal women. Methods: Forty community-dwelling postmenopausal women (68.7 ± 5.7 years) participated in this cross-sectional study. Physical activity was assessed using a wrist-worn accelerometer for seven days. Body composition and bone health were measured by DEXA, functional fitness by the Senior Fitness Test, and quality of life by the WHOQOL-BREF. Spearman correlations were applied. Results: Associations were predominantly weak to moderate. Higher-intensity physical activity showed the strongest association with the Physical Health domain of quality of life (ρ ≈ 0.29). Total bone mineral density was also positively associated with perceived physical health (ρ ≈ 0.36). Adiposity was inversely related to light and lifestyle activity. Conclusion: Physical activity, functional fitness, body composition, and perceived physical health co-occur in postmenopausal women, supporting the relevance of promoting active lifestyles in this population.

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