Other Titles
Perimenopause, Exercise, and Cardiometabolic Risk: Systematic Review [Poster Title]
Abstract
Purpose: Perimenopause is a biologically vulnerable period characterized by hormonal fluctuations, visceral fat accumulation, and increasing insulin resistance, factors that elevate cardiometabolic risk and contribute to the development of cardiometabolic syndrome (CMS), defined as the presence of three or more metabolic abnormalities. These changes reflect a continuum of metabolic vulnerability that may emerge before CMS becomes clinically detectable. Although regular exercise can mitigate this risk, limited evidence clarifies which exercise modalities are most effective in reducing metabolic risk and CMS prevalence among women undergoing the perimenopausal transition. Despite facing a distinct and often underrecognized vulnerability to CMS, perimenopausal women remain underrepresented in clinical research. Therefore, synthesizing available evidence is essential to inform tailored interventions that address their unique cardiometabolic needs.
Objective: The purpose of this systematic review is to synthesize current evidence on the relationship between exercise and metabolic risk among women aged 40–55 during perimenopause.
Methods: The review protocol was registered with PROSPERO, followed PRISMA, and searched PubMed, Embase, CINAHL Ultimate, and Web of Science for studies from 2010 and 2025. Eligible studies included women aged 40-55 years during perimenopause and examined any form of exercise. Metabolic risk served as the primary outcome, defined by individual risk factors, the presence/absence of CMS, or a composite index reflecting cumulative burden.
Results: Of 3,197 records (after removing 404 duplicates), 2,793 were screened, 32 full texts reviewed, and 11 studies included for extraction. Findings will be presented at STTI 2026 detailing the comparative effectiveness of exercise on metabolic risk in perimenopausal women.
Conclusion: By synthesizing findings, this review will generate clinically relevant insights that can guide the development of targeted, evidence-based exercise strategies to improve cardiometabolic health in perimenopausal women.
Notes
References:
Bernal JVM, Sánchez-Delgado JC, Jácome-Hortúa AM, et al. Effects of physical exercise on the lipid profile of perimenopausal and postmenopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Braz J Med Biol Res. 2025;58:e14194. Published 2025 Mar 3.
Hao S, Tan S, Li J, et al. The effect of diet and exercise on climacteric symptomatology. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2022;31(3):362-370.
Hallajzadeh J, Khoramdad M, Izadi N, et al. Metabolic syndrome and its components in premenopausal and postmenopausal women: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis on observational studies. Menopause. 2018;25(10):1155-1164.
Stevenson JC, Tsiligiannis S, Panay N. Cardiovascular Risk in Perimenopausal Women. Curr Vasc Pharmacol. 2019;17(6):591-594.
Xi X, Pei C, Song N. Prevalence of and trends in obesity and insulin resistance among US perimenopausal women, 2003-2023. Menopause. Published online July 22, 2025.
Sigma Membership
Iota Mu
Type
Poster
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Systematic Review
Research Approach
Other
Keywords:
Public and Community Health, Health Equity or Social Determinants of Health, Perimenopause, Physical Activity, Cardiometabolic Risk Factors
Recommended Citation
Gautam, Bibha; Clegg, Deborah J.; Rogge, Mary Madeline; and Page, Jeni, "The Influence of Exercise on Cardiometabolic Risk in Perimenopause: A Systematic Review" (2026). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 85.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2026/posters_2026/85
Conference Name
37th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Conference Year
2026
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2026-08-30
The Influence of Exercise on Cardiometabolic Risk in Perimenopause: A Systematic Review
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Purpose: Perimenopause is a biologically vulnerable period characterized by hormonal fluctuations, visceral fat accumulation, and increasing insulin resistance, factors that elevate cardiometabolic risk and contribute to the development of cardiometabolic syndrome (CMS), defined as the presence of three or more metabolic abnormalities. These changes reflect a continuum of metabolic vulnerability that may emerge before CMS becomes clinically detectable. Although regular exercise can mitigate this risk, limited evidence clarifies which exercise modalities are most effective in reducing metabolic risk and CMS prevalence among women undergoing the perimenopausal transition. Despite facing a distinct and often underrecognized vulnerability to CMS, perimenopausal women remain underrepresented in clinical research. Therefore, synthesizing available evidence is essential to inform tailored interventions that address their unique cardiometabolic needs.
Objective: The purpose of this systematic review is to synthesize current evidence on the relationship between exercise and metabolic risk among women aged 40–55 during perimenopause.
Methods: The review protocol was registered with PROSPERO, followed PRISMA, and searched PubMed, Embase, CINAHL Ultimate, and Web of Science for studies from 2010 and 2025. Eligible studies included women aged 40-55 years during perimenopause and examined any form of exercise. Metabolic risk served as the primary outcome, defined by individual risk factors, the presence/absence of CMS, or a composite index reflecting cumulative burden.
Results: Of 3,197 records (after removing 404 duplicates), 2,793 were screened, 32 full texts reviewed, and 11 studies included for extraction. Findings will be presented at STTI 2026 detailing the comparative effectiveness of exercise on metabolic risk in perimenopausal women.
Conclusion: By synthesizing findings, this review will generate clinically relevant insights that can guide the development of targeted, evidence-based exercise strategies to improve cardiometabolic health in perimenopausal women.
Description
Perimenopause increases cardiometabolic risk due to hormonal changes, visceral fat accumulation, and insulin resistance. Exercise may reduce this risk, but the most effective modalities are unclear. This systematic review examines exercise and metabolic outcomes in perimenopausal women aged 40–55. Findings will guide targeted exercise strategies to improve cardiometabolic health in perimenopausal women.