Exercise for women in the early postmenopausal years.

Exercise has many benefits throughout life but in later life in particular it will protect against cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes and cancer, and preserve musculoskeletal health and psychological wellbeing. Women as they get older are at increasing risk of osteoporosis and the aim of exercise is to slow these skeletal changes. The early postmenopausal years in particular are associated with a rapid loss of bone mass, together with a loss of aerobic fitness and muscle strength. Therefore an evidence-based exercise regime to protect against these problems is essential, so that the exercise is of the appropriate quantity, duration and intensity for the required outcome.