MSU professor co-authors book on menopause

There is hope in exercise, according to Barbara Bushman, Ph.D., professor of health, physical education and recreation at Missouri State University.

“Exercise for women is nothing but positive,” Bushman said in a news release. “Starting out well before menopause and continuing through it and after it can reduce the severity of the symptoms.”

Bushman, and Janice Clark Young, Ph.D., assistant professor of health and exercise science at Truman State University, co-wrote “Action Plan for Menopause.” The peer-reviewed book is published by Human Kinetics in conjunction with the American College of Sports Medicine.

“The target group is women ages 40 and up, but I believe the book applies to women in their mid-30s, 40s and 50s,” Bushman said, stressing that the book addresses perimenopause, menopause and postmenopause.

“There are millions and millions of women approaching menopause or going through it right now. This could have a huge impact on someone’s quality of life,” she added.

Using the most contemporary research, the authors developed exercise-based strategies designed to help reduce symptoms of menopause, promote bone health and decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease.

The best and safest workouts – combining the right mix of strength, flexibility and aerobic exercise – are outlined in detail and illustrated with dozens of step-by-step photographs. The book informs readers on how to customize their workouts, and offers alternatives to traditional cardiovascular and resistance training methods, such as ballroom dancing, cross-country skiing and kayaking. Chapters also include information regarding nutrition, medications, diet, stress and goal-setting.

“It’s as current as humanly possible,” Bushman said. “It’s not a sit-in-a-fluffy-chair-and-read book; it’s full of lists, assessments and tests. We wrote it to to be read as if we were sitting across the table from someone and answering her questions.”