Feasibility of High-Intensity Interval Training, Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training, and Stretching in Perimenopausal Females

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO · Aug 12, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is exploring different types of exercise and stretching to see how easy and enjoyable they are for women going through perimenopause, the time before menopause when symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats often begin. The study will compare three approaches: following general health guidelines for moderate exercise, doing high-intensity interval training (which involves short bursts of hard exercise followed by rest), and doing stretching exercises. The goal is to learn which activities women are most likely to stick with over six weeks, so future studies can look at how these activities might improve symptoms and heart health during this important life stage.

Women who are 40 years or older, experiencing menopause symptoms, and who have certain health risk factors—such as being mostly inactive, having a higher body weight, and carrying extra weight around the waist—may be eligible to join. Participants should be in early or late perimenopause, meaning their menstrual cycles have become irregular in a specific way. Women with certain health conditions, recent surgeries affecting reproductive organs, or those who are pregnant or breastfeeding are not eligible. If chosen to participate, women will follow one of the exercise or stretching plans for six weeks, and researchers will check how manageable and enjoyable the activities are. This study is not yet recruiting but aims to help design larger studies that could improve quality of life and health for women during the menopause transition.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Biological females in early and late perimenopause. Menopausal stage will be defined according to the Stages of Reproductive Aging Workshop +10 (STRAW+10). According to STRAW+10, perimenopause is characterized by menstrual cycle irregularity, specifically defined as having bleeding in the previous 12 months but at least a 7-day difference from usual menstrual cycle length
• • Experiencing menopause symptoms (e.g., hot flashes, night sweats, joint stiffness)
• • Aged 40 years or older
• • Multiple risk factors for cardiometabolic disease, namely being sedentary (\<30 min of moderate-vigorous physical activity/week), having a BMI ≥25 kg/m2, and a waist circumference indicative of abdominal obesity, specific to BMI (e.g., BMI 25-29.9: WC: 90cm; BMI 30-34.9: WC: 105cm; BMI 35-35.9: WC:115cm).
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • History of reproductive surgeries including oophorectomy, hysterectomy, ablation or gender-affirming.
• • Diagnosis of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, cancer (except for non-melanoma skin cancer), respiratory disease (e.g., Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or severe or uncontrolled asthma), uncontrolled hyper- or hypogonadism (change in medication or dosage in last 6 months and with major symptoms), and/or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
• • Major signs or symptoms (regardless of known diagnosis) of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, or renal disease
• • The use of medication that could impact blood glucose
• • Pregnant or post-partum \<12 months, lactating or breast feeding within 3 months of the start of study
• • Recreational smoking (e.g., tobacco, smoking)
• • Actively engaging in a low-carbohydrate diet (e.g., ketogenic, Atkins)
• • Using transdermal hormones, taking exogenous hormones, or receiving exogenous hormones from other means (e.g., intrauterine device)
• • Significant weight loss (i.e., \>5 kg) in past 3 months or currently taking weight loss medications