HIT-PAUSE feasibility study.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
High Impact Training during the menoPAUSE transition (HIT-PAUSE): a randomised controlled feasibility study.
IRAS ID
345708
Contact name
Craig Sale
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Manchester Metropolitan University
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
After 50 years of age, the risk of fracture is far greater in women than in men (50% vs 20%). The incidence of fragility fracture (i.e., a fracture resulting from a simple fall), particularly at the hip, is of particular concern as hip fracture can have a significant ability to live independently. Menopause related hormonal changes, typically occurring between 45 and 55 years of age, contribute to high amounts of bone loss. Exercise provides benefits to bone, muscle and balance making it an appealing strategy for reducing hip fragility fracture risk. Exercise studies in postmenopausal women (i.e., 12 months after menstrual periods have permanently stopped) have shown that previously lost bone at the femoral neck cannot be recovered, meaning that earlier exercise intervention is required. The late perimenopausal phase is of interest as annual bone loss at the femoral neck is highest during this time. However, as the late perimenopausal women phase is comparatively shorter than the premenopausal and postmenopausal phase (~1-3 years in duration) and there is a lack of awareness when women are in the late perimenopausal phase, it is unclear if enough late perimenopausal women could be recruited for a future larger high impact exercise trial in late perimenopausal women.
At Manchester Metropolitan University, we will carry out a 16-week, unsupervised, home-based hopping and jumping exercise programme to examine the feasibility of identifying and recruiting enough late perimenopausal women to warrant doing a future larger study. In line with the latest expert recommendations (STRAW+10), we will confirm late perimenopausal status during the screening visit. Eligible participants will be randomised to the exercise or inactive control group and will pre-post intervention testing for bone mineral density, muscle power, balance and menopausal symptoms. Secondary outcomes include the adherence and safety of the exercise programme.
REC name
North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/NW/0019
Date of REC Opinion
27 Feb 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion