The effectiveness of interventions that support women, girls, and people who menstruate to participate in physical activity: a rapid overview of reviews

Csontos, Judit ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4597-3052, Brown, Natalie, Edwards, Adrian ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6228-4446, Edwards, Deborah ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1885-9297, Gillen, Elizabeth ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3700-3913, Hounsome, Juliet, Kiseleva, Meg ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1994-6678, Lewis, Ruth, Macey, Steven, Mann, Mala, Sidhu, Amrita and Cooper, Alison ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8660-6721 2024. The effectiveness of interventions that support women, girls, and people who menstruate to participate in physical activity: a rapid overview of reviews. [Online]. Research Square: Research Square. Available at: https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-5098557/v1

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Abstract

Background: Adults (age 18-64 years) are recommended 150-300 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous or 75-150 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity per week. Irrespective, the number of women not meeting recommended physical activity is 5% higher than men globally. Women, girls and people who menstruate face multiple barriers to participating in physical activity, including gender bias, low perceived exercise competence, and insufficient support from peers and/or family. Moreover, menstruation is often reported as a barrier. Numerous interventions have been proposed to increase physical activity participation of women and girls, while little is known about interventions for people who menstruate. Therefore, the aim of this rapid overview of reviews was to investigate the effectiveness of interventions that support women, girls, and people who menstruate to participate in physical activity. Additionally, this review examined whether any of these interventions incorporated managing physical activity participation throughout the menstrual cycle. Methods: Bibliographic databases (MEDLINE, Emcare, and AMED on OVID platform; CINAHL and SPORTDiscus on EBSCO; Epistemonikos, and Cochrane Database) and grey literature were searched in March 2024. Title/abstract screening was conducted by one reviewer and 20% of records checked by a second. Full-texts screening was performed by two reviewers. Data extraction and critical appraisal (using JBI systematic review checklist) were conducted by one reviewer with another checking accuracy. Findings were summarised narratively. Results: Fifteen systematic reviews across 16 reports (published between 2008-2024) met the inclusion criteria. The population included young and adolescent girls (n=9), adult women (n=3), mothers and daughters (n=2), and mixed population (n=1). A wide range of interventions were identified which were educational, environmental or multicomponent. None of the included systematic reviews described interventions focusing on managing physical activity participation throughout the menstrual cycle. Most reviews found mixed effectiveness in increasing physical activity participation, leading to inconclusive results. Conclusion: There is a need for further research to better support women, girls, and people who menstruate to participate in physical activity, with particular focus on addressing barriers related to the menstrual cycle. The findings can inform workplace, educational and other relevant physical activity recommendations for women, girls and people who menstruate. Protocol registration: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/XTYCW

Item Type:	Website Content
Date Type:	Published Online
Status:	Published
Schools:	Healthcare Sciences Prime Centre Wales (PRIME)
Subjects:	R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC1200 Sports Medicine R Medicine > RG Gynecology and obstetrics
Publisher:	Research Square
Funders:	Health and Care Research Wales, Welsh Government
Date of Acceptance:	14 November 2024
Last Modified:	16 Dec 2024 11:45
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/174685

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