Women’s Health Week
Women’s Health Week runs from 1 September until 5 September 2025, focusing on the health and wellbeing of all women. The theme of Women’s Health Week is “Say Yes to You,” encouraging women to prioritise their own health and wellbeing.
The Australian Institute of Health and Wellbeing (2023) report on “How healthy are Australia’s Females” and results indicate the following:
- One in two Australian females rate their health as ‘excellent’ or ‘very good’ in 2020-2021.
- Females lose more healthy years of life from living with disease and injury (58%) than from dying prematurely (42%).
- 56% of Australian females have one or more chronic conditions.
- An estimated 73,200 new cancer cases will be diagnosed in females in 2022.
- Almost half of Australian females have experienced a mental health problem at some point in their lifetime.
- About 252,000 Australian females aged 30 and over are estimated to be living with dementia.
- An estimated 44,000 females presented in hospital due to endometriosis between 2020 and 2021.
Exercise and Women’s Health.
Participating in regular physical activity throughout life is vital in supporting women’s health across due to its known benefits in the management and prevention of many female-specific health concerns, in addition to improving overall physical and psychological wellbeing.
Self-reported data from the ABS 2022 National health Study showed that nearly 37% of adults aged 18-64 were insufficiently physically active, with the proportion being higher in women, at 41%, compared to males at 34%. Moreover, nearly 89% of adults aged 65 years and over were insufficiently active, with both males (88%) and females (89%) being similar.
The importance of exercise for bone health and osteoporosis prevention.
Osteoporosis is a chronic condition defined by low bone mineral density, which increases the risk of fractures due to bones having a reduction in density, minerals and increase fragility. In 2022, the prevalence of people living with osteoporosis or osteopenia in Australia was estimated to be 3.4%. The prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia increased with age from 0.7 % of people aged 35 to 44 years, to 17% of people aged 75 years and over. This was higher in women at 5.5% compared with men, 1.1% and was highest in women aged 75 years and over.
Weight bearing exercise and strength-based training, particularly high intensity resistance training can stimulate notable adaptation through the bones as a result of muscle loading, therefore assisting in managing osteoporosis and osteopenia progression, falls risk and fractures. Exercise participation, particularly involving strength-based training, balance and mobility assists in reducing the risk of falls and fracture, which is common in those with osteoporosis and limited functional capacity (Beck et al., 2017).
Exercise for the management of psychological wellbeing.
The Australian Institute of Health and Wellbeing (2022) studies showed that almost half of Australian females have experienced a mental health problem at some point in their lifetime. Participating in combination of both aerobic and resistance-based exercise can facilitate overall improvements in psychological wellbeing, as participating in physical activity results in the release of endorphins and serotonin leading to boosts in mood. Moreover, physical activity can assist in improving depressive and anxiety related symptoms through numerous physiological mechanisms, in addition to facilitating improvements in sleep, self-efficacy and increased social interaction (Pelletier et al., 2017).
Exercise in relation to menstrual health throughout the female lifespan.
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) and dysmenorrhoea (menstrual cramps) can adversely impact women’s functioning and quality of life. Studies show that exercise interventions including relaxation exercise, strength training, aerobic exercise, yoga or a combination of modalities can assist in reducing menstrual pain (Tsai et al., 2024). Moreover, during menopause, hormonal changes can occur, resulting in symptoms such as hot flashes, sleep disturbances, mood changes, increased risk of osteoporosis, muscle atrophy and weight gain. However, regular physical activity participation has been found to assist in the management of symptoms associated with menopause and reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis (Mishra et al., 2011).
Pregnancy and Postpartum exercise participation.
Participating in regular physical activity throughout pregnancy has been correlated to a reduced risk of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, improved postpartum recovery and assist in the management of overall psychological wellbeing. Moreover, exercise participation has been linked to reductions in bodily pain throughout pregnancy, particularly lower back and sciatic pain (Marin-Jimenez et al., 2019; Birsner et la., 2020).
Exercise participation for women who are postpartum has been found to assist in developing strength in abdominal muscles, improve energy, reduce the risk of developing postpartum depression, improve sleep quality and stress (ACOG, 2025).
How can Exercise Physiology Help?
Exercise Physiologists can assist any females throughout their life to implement a specific, individualised and goal-based exercise program. Exercise Physiologists can support females throughout stages of their life and adapt programs as needed to ensure they are safe and individualised.
Written By Uplift EP, Mykaila Walls