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

Background

Adults (age 18-64 years) are recommended either 150-300 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous or 75-150 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity per week. Regardless, the number of women not meeting recommended physical activity levels 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 skills and competence, and insufficient support from peers and/or family.  Moreover, menstruation is often reported as a barrier. Numerous interventions have been proposed to increase the physical activity participation of women, girls, and people who menstruate.

Aim

The aim of this rapid overview of reviews is to investigate the effectiveness of interventions that support women, girls, and people who menstruate to participate in physical activity. Additionally, this review examines whether any of these interventions incorporate managing physical activity participation throughout the menstrual cycle.

This Rapid Overview of Reviews follows on from a Rapid Evidence Summary conducted in July 2024.