The climacteric constitutes a transitional phase in a woman's life characterized by the progressive decline of ovarian function and the consequent decrease in estrogen levels. This hormonal change is associated with alterations in body composition, loss of bone mass, reduction in muscle strength, and modifications in the cardiovascular profile [1]. Regular physical exercise is recognized as a first‑line non‑pharmacological strategy to attenuate these effects, with walking standing out due to its safety, low cost, and ease of incorporation into daily routine [2].

To comprehensively assess the physical fitness of climacteric women, standardized instruments are required that allow not only quantification of performance but also classification of functional level. In 2018, Romero Sánchez proposed a battery of seven tests that evaluate cardiorespiratory endurance, body composition, flexibility, lower‑limb strength, arm strength, and abdominal muscular endurance, assigning scores and providing an overall evaluation [3].

Although numerous studies on exercise during the climacteric exist, few report the effects of structured walking programs with contemporary training methods (fartlek, tempo, intervals) and measure their impact using standardized batteries. The objective of this study was to determine the physical‑functional profile of a group of climacteric women after participating in a four‑week walking program with high weekly frequency and varied methods, using the Romero Sánchez (2018) battery.

Methods

Design and setting

A descriptive, cross‑sectional, post‑intervention study was conducted in July 2026, in the Consejo Popular Managua, municipality of A. Naranjo, Havana, Cuba. Environmental conditions were certified as normal for the time of year by the authorized institutions. All measurement instruments were calibrated by the corresponding metrology laboratory before use. The participating and support staff were trained in the execution of each test and in conducting the training program. The study received approval from the local ethics committee, and the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki were respected. Verbal informed consent was obtained from each participant after a detailed explanation of the procedures.

Participants

Thirty‑two women aged between 41 and 49 years (mean 46.5 ± 2.4 years) were included. Eighteen participants (56.3%) were in the climacteric stage and 14 (43.7%) in menopause. All were public administration workers (coded as sector 1 for research purposes). Women with severe cardiovascular diseases, orthopedic limitations preventing walking, or who did not complete at least 90% of the scheduled sessions were excluded.

Intervention program

A four‑week walking program was implemented, with a frequency of six days per week (Monday to Saturday) and Sunday rest. Each session had a total duration of 90 minutes, structured as follows:

• Warm‑up (20 minutes): general joint mobility, dynamic stretching (leg swings, unloaded lunges, trunk twists) and progressive walking from a very gentle pace to the minimum pace of the main part.
• Main part (60 minutes): continuous or fractionated walking according to the daily planning, performed on flat terrain and regular surface. Intensity was controlled using the Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE 1‑10) scale, where RPE 2‑3 corresponded to strolling pace (70‑80 m/min), RPE 4‑5 to brisk walking (85‑95 m/min), RPE 6‑7 to fast walking or power walking (100‑110 m/min), and RPE 8‑9 to intense walking (115‑125 m/min). The following training methods were used: extensive continuous, tempo, fartlek (by time and by sensations), long and short intervals, and ladder series.
• Cool‑down (10 minutes): very slow walking to progressively reduce heart rate, followed by static stretching of the major muscle groups (calves, hamstrings, quadriceps, glutes, pectorals, and latissimus dorsi), holding each position for 20‑30 seconds without pain.

The weekly progression of volume and intensity is detailed in Table 1. The total accumulated volume over the four weeks was approximately 130 km. All participants completed at least 90% of the scheduled sessions.

Table 1. Summary of the four‑week training program (60‑minute main part)

Assessment battery

At the end of the fourth week (Saturday, replacing the training session), the Romero Sánchez (2018) test battery was applied, composed of:

1. 6‑minute walk test (distance covered in meters).
2. Body Mass Index (BMI, kg/m²).
3. Waist‑to‑Hip Ratio (WHR).
4. Anterior trunk flexion in a seated position (centimeters).
5. Sit‑to‑stand from a chair for 30 seconds (number of repetitions).
6. Arm flexion and extension for 30 seconds (number of repetitions).
7. Floor abdominal curls for 30 seconds (number of repetitions).

Each functional test (except BMI and WHR) received a numerical score from 2 to 5 according to pre‑established norms (Poor=2, Fair=3, Good=4, Excellent=5). The sum of points (maximum possible 29) was converted to a percentage and classified as Poor (≤69%), Fair (70‑79%), Good (80‑89%), or Excellent (≥90%). BMI was categorized as Underweight, Normal weight, Overweight, Mild obesity, Moderate obesity, and Severe obesity. WHR was classified as Lower, Intermediate, or Upper, with qualitative equivalences according to the battery (Lower and Intermediate are considered lower risk; Upper is associated with higher cardiometabolic risk).

Sociodemographic and clinical variables

Using a structured questionnaire, the following were recorded: age, reproductive stage (climacteric or menopause), presence of 11 climacteric symptoms (chills, irregular menstrual periods, hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, sleep disorders, mood changes, body weight changes, muscle or joint pain, transient palpitations; dichotomous Yes/No response), self‑reported diseases or conditions, number of children, delivery method (normal or cesarean section), marital status, and employment sector.

Statistical analysis

Qualitative variables were described using absolute frequencies and percentages. For quantitative variables, mean, standard error, median, mode, standard deviation, sample variance, kurtosis, skewness coefficient, range, minimum, maximum, and 95% confidence interval for the mean were calculated. Processing was performed in Microsoft Excel.

Results

Sample characterization

Table 2 presents the sociodemographic and clinical data. The mean age was 46.5 years. The most prevalent climacteric symptoms were chills (65.6%), irregular menstrual periods (62.5%), night sweats and vaginal dryness (59.4% each). The most frequent pathologies were sacrolumbalgia (15.6%), thyroid conditions (12.5%), and circulatory disorders (12.5%). 53.1% had had normal deliveries and 40.6% cesarean sections. The predominant marital status was common‑law marriage (28.1%), followed by married (21.9%).

Table 2. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics (n=32)

Test battery results

The evaluation by test is summarized in Table 3. The 6‑minute walk test and the sit‑to‑stand test achieved 100% passing. Arm flexion/extension presented the lowest passing percentage (84.4%). According to BMI, 43.8% of participants were overweight and 9.4% had mild obesity; no cases of underweight, moderate, or severe obesity were recorded. WHR was classified as Lower (50.0%) or Intermediate (43.8%) in almost the entire sample, with only two cases (6.3%) classified as Upper (high risk).

Table 3. Distribution of evaluations by test and passing rate (n=32)

Note: For BMI and WHR, Excellent/Poor scores are not assigned; their categories are presented in the text. The walk test and the sit‑to‑stand test had no Poor cases.

Body composition:

• BMI: Normal weight 13 (40.6%), Overweight 14 (43.8%), Mild obesity 3 (9.4%). No underweight, moderate, or severe obesity cases were observed.
• WHR: Lower 16 (50.0%), Intermediate 14 (43.8%), Upper 2 (6.3%).

The overall group evaluation, calculated from the sum of points, was: Excellent 13 (40.6%), Good 2 (6.3%), Fair 13 (40.6%), and Poor 4 (12.5%). Overall, 46.9% obtained a high level (Good + Excellent) and 87.5% passed globally.

Descriptive statistics are shown in Table 4. The mean distance in the 6‑minute walk test was 715.3 m (SD 35.2; 95% CI: 702.6‑728.0). Anterior trunk flexion had a mean of 13.9 cm, with a very wide dispersion (SD 11.4 cm) and a minimum value of -6 cm. The average total score was 23.3 ± 4.4 points.

Table 4. Descriptive statistics for the tests and total score (n=32)