Fitness in younger years not enough to prevent severe VMS later

Higher cardiorespiratory fitness and engaging in moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) during young or middle adulthood do not appear to reduce the risk of severe vasomotor symptoms (VMS) during menopause, as shown in a study.

The study included 1,808 women (median age 56 years, 49.5 percent Black) who participated in the CARDIA study. Participants had undergone menopause transition by the year 30 examination. All of them completed a baseline fitness test and attended the year 30 examination.

MVPA was assessed using accelerometery at year 20, while severe VMS were self-reported via surveys. Wilcoxon tests, χ2 tests, and Poisson regression were used in the analyses. Age, race, study centre, smoking, BMI, year-30 self-reported total physical activity, and year-30 hormone use were included as potential confounders.

Of the participants, 32.2 percent had severe VMS. The prevalence of severe VMS decreased across increasing baseline fitness quartiles: 38 percent in quartile 1, 37 percent in quartile 2, 28 percent in quartile 3, and 25 percent in quartile 4.

Participants with vs without severe VMS had significantly lower fitness levels at baseline (480 vs 496 s; p<0.001) and at year 20 (p<0.001). Additionally, participants with severe VMS had significantly lower MVPA at year 20 (22 vs 26 min/day; p<0.01).

However, in adjusted models, severe VMS showed no association with either baseline or year-20 fitness or MVPA.

The findings indicate that other strategies to mitigate the risk of severe VMS during menopause may be necessary.