Promoting the Physical Activity in Postmenopausal Women. Trans-Theoretical Model based intervention Authors:

Sedentary lifestyle in postmenopausal women decreases their health and quality of life. This study aimed to determine the effect of theoretical education on leisure-time physical activity in postmenopausal women.In a quasi-experimental study, 200 women referring to health centers through a multi-stage sampling method and inclusion criteria were allocated to control and experimental groups. The data collecting tools were a standardized researcher-made questionnaire containing demographic and specific questions relating to the trans-theoretical model and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. After the need assessment, the educational program including content, media, and educational method was designed. The subjects in the experimental group participated in three training and three group walking sessions. The educational program continued for four months. After three months, the data in both groups were recollected and analyzed, using the descriptive statistics (Mean, Percentage) and analytic tests (Independent sample t-test, Spearman correlation coefficient test, and linear regression test). P-value was set at ≤ 0.05.After the intervention, the percentage of people in the Pre-contemplation in the intervention group decreased significantly (80% to 17%). On the other hand, in the control group, there was not any meaningful decrease (89% to 79%). Also, the mean score of the leisure time in the intervention group, in comparison with the control group, increase significantly from 226.8 ± 579.9 to 903.6 ± 99.5, (P<0.05).The results showed that the Trans-Theoretical Model is a suitable framework for promoting physical activities in postmenopausal women.