The aim of this study was to test whether menopause is associated with decreased physical performance and to determine the risk factors accounting for a decline in physical performance.We recruited 979 women (mean +/-SD age, 48.4 +/- 3.9 y; range, 43-57 y) from a community population in Taiwan. Menopause status (435 women [44.4%] in premenopause, 253 [25.8%] in perimenopause, and 291 [29.7%] in postmenopause) was determined by menstrual history. All women underwent three dimensions of physical performance assessment: flexibility was evaluated by stand-and-reach and sit-and-reach tests; muscular strength was determined by the grip and pinch strength tests; and balance was assessed by one-legged standing with eyes open or closed.Flexibility did not vary among women in different menopausal states. Perimenopausal or postmenopausal women had weaker grip strength than premenopausal women (27.7 +/- 6.5, 25.1 +/- 6.5, and 23.5 +/- 6.5 kg for premenopausal, perimenopausal, and postmenopausal states, respectively; P < 0.001) and shorter standing balance time (93.9 +/- 33.7, 88.7 +/- 34.9, and 78.4 +/- 39.5 s for premenopausal, perimenopausal, postmenopausal states, respectively; P < 0.001). In a multivariate analysis, the associations of decreased grip strength and poor balance with menopause status remained significant after adjustment for baseline characteristics.Menopause is an independent predictor of decreased muscle strength and balance.