How physical activity affects sleep and heart health in menopausal women.
Official title: Evaluating the effect of physical activity on sleep disruption and subclinical cardiovascular disease risk in peri- and early postmenopausal women.
Funded at Smith College · NIH-11043002 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how exercise can help improve sleep and heart health for women going through menopause, especially those dealing with hot flashes and night sweats.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Smith College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Northampton, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2020 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $408,656 |
| NIH project number | 2R15HL145650-02A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11043002 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are peri- and early postmenopausal women experiencing sleep disturbances and symptoms like hot flashes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not peri- or early postmenopausal or those without sleep disturbances may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of physical activity on sleep disturbances and cardiovascular disease risk in women who are peri- and early postmenopausal. It aims to understand how both habitual and acute exercise can influence symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats, which are linked to heart health. By examining the relationship between physical activity, sleep quality, and cardiovascular risk factors, the study seeks to provide insights that could improve health outcomes for women during this critical transition period.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for managing sleep issues and reducing cardiovascular disease risk in menopausal women.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that physical activity can positively influence sleep quality and cardiovascular health, suggesting potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Smith College
Northampton, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Witkowski, Sarah — Smith College
- Study coordinator: Witkowski, Sarah
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.