Menopausal Women’s Embodied Experiences of Physical Activity.

Abstract

This qualitative study investigates how menopausal women experience physical activity through their embodied narratives. Thirty-six self-identifying perimenopausal and menopausal women participated in biographical interviews, go-along interviews, or creative mapping workshops. Drawing on feminist perspectives, the study explores how women perceive and engage in physical activity amidst societal and cultural pressures as well as their bodily changes. The findings reveal diverse experiences: while some women reported physical activity as empowering despite challenges like fatigue, joint aches, and irregular bleeding, others faced disruptions due to the unpredictable nature of menopausal symptoms. Additionally, the study highlights how wearing sanitary products or layers of clothing influences movement and heightens awareness of bodily changes in different environments. Women-only recreational sport groups emerge as crucial spaces providing support, empowerment, and solidarity, normalising menopausal experiences. These findings highlight the intricate interplay between menopause, physical activity, and environmental contexts, offering insights into the complex variations in women's menopausal experiences and their engagement in physical activity.