Benefits of short-term structured exercise in non-overweight women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a prospective randomized controlled study

Abstract

[Purpose] The short-term effects of structured exercise on the anthropometric, cardiovascular, and metabolic parameters of non-overweight women diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome were evaluated. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty women with a diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome were prospectively randomized to either a control group (n=16) or a training group (n=14) for a period of 8 weeks. Anthropometric, cardiovascular, and metabolic parameters and hormone levels were measured and compared before and after the intervention. [Results] Waist and hip measurements (anthropometric parameters); diastolic blood pressure; respiratory rate (cardiovascular parameters); levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, fasting glucose, and fasting insulin; and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index (metabolic parameters) were significantly lower in the training group after 8 weeks of exercise compared to the baseline values. After exercise, the training group had significantly higher oxygen consumption and high-density lipoprotein levels and significantly shorter menstrual cycle intervals. The corresponding values for controls did not significantly differ between the start and end of the 8-week experiment. [Conclusion] Short-term regular exercise programs can lead to improvements in anthropometric, cardiovascular, and metabolic parameters of non-overweight women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Exercise, or exercise and diet for the management of polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Twelve trials compared exercise to usual care or minimal intervention [32, 34, 97, 102, 104, 108–111, 117–119]. Three trials each compared combined exercise and diet with diet only [33, 98, [105]], and exercise and diet combined with usual care [99, 100, 107].…”

“…Eight trials (44%) did not report any attrition [98, 99, 102, 104, 107, 109, 110, 118]. Where reported, attrition ranged from 6% [117] to 50% [33] with a median value of 19.5%; five trials (28%) reported attrition over 20% [32, 33, 97, 100, 105]. Reasons for exercise dropouts included non-exercise related injury [32–34, 97, 119], pregnancy [32–34, 100, 119], time [33, 34, 97], work/family commitments [32, 33, 119], personal reasons [33, 105, 108, 111], medical grounds [97, 105, 111], and relocation [33].…”

Improving reproductive function in women with polycystic ovary syndrome with high-intensity interval training (IMPROV-IT): study protocol for a two-centre, three-armed randomised controlled trial

“…Nevertheless, there is limited research available to give women with PCOS sufficient recommendations on physical activity and exercise. Some studies have demonstrated positive effects in reproductive outcomes after exercise, with concomitant improvements in insulin sensitivity and/or visceral fat 20–24. However, more knowledge is needed about the underlying mechanisms for improvement in fertility after exercise training, as discussed in several systematic reviews on lifestyle interventions and fertility 12 25 53 54.…”

“…Exercise training positively affects metabolic, cardiovascular and psychological outcomes in women with PCOS, but the effect on fertility is unclear 4 12 17–19. Some trials20–24 and systematic reviews12 25 report improved ovulation or menstruation frequency after a period of exercise training or after a combined exercise-diet intervention 26. Two of these studies indicate a weight-independent effect of exercise on fertility, suggesting insulin sensitivity to be a key factor 21 23.…”

“…Two of these studies indicate a weight-independent effect of exercise on fertility, suggesting insulin sensitivity to be a key factor 21 23. Only one study to date has investigated the effect of exercise on menstruation frequency in women with PCOS having normal or low BMI (<25 kg/m 2 ) 22. In that study, they found a significant improvement in menstruation frequency (from 48 to 27 days) after 8 weeks (three sessions per week) of aerobic and resistance training.…”