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

Adults (age 18–64 years) are recommended 150–300 min of moderate-to-vigorous or 75–150 min 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 physical activity participation, 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 women’s and girls’ physical activity participation, while little is known about interventions for people who menstruate. Therefore, the aim of this rapid overview of reviews was to summarise systematic reviews investigating 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. 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-text 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. Fifteen systematic reviews across 16 reports (published between 2008 and 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. While multicomponent interventions may lead to better physical activity outcomes, it is unclear what combined elements are the most effective. There is a need for high quality research to identify interventions that could help girls, women, and people who menstruate to be physically active, and consider barriers related to the menstrual cycle. https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/XTYCW