Continuous versus intermittent aerobic exercise in the improvement of quality of life for women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome predisposes alterations which contribute to the reduction of quality of life. This randomized controlled clinical trial study was to evaluate the effect of two protocols of aerobic exercise on quality of life in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Women were allocated to three groups: continuous aerobic training ( n = 28), intermittent aerobic training ( n = 29), and control group (no training; n = 30). Testosterone levels, body composition indices, and quality of life were assessed at baseline and after 16 weeks of intervention. Both protocols were effective to improve testosterone levels, anthropometric indices, and quality of life in polycystic ovary syndrome women. Thus, these protocols should be included in the clinical environment to improve clinical parameters psychological, biological and social health to this population.

A Systematic Review of the Effects of Exercise on Hormones in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

“…With respect to studies involving walking or jogging, a 16-week progressive aerobic training program supervised on an indoor track for 50 min three days per week did not yield changes in FI or HOMA-IR [ 89 ]. However, a 16-week RCT with continuous aerobic training (CAT) or intermittent aerobic training (IAT) on a treadmill resulted in decreased total testosterone (TT) in both exercise groups, and a lower free androgen index (FAI) in the IAT group, with no changes in SHBG, A4, E2, LH, or FSH in either group [ 90 , 91 , 92 , 93 ].…”

“…Taken together, some aerobic exercise training programs, particularly those that involve more vigorous activity and/or more frequent weekly exercise or sessions of longer duration, may improve measures of insulin and insulin responsiveness. The sex hormones, SHBG, and LH appear to be largely unaffected by aerobic exercise, with a few exceptions [ 90 , 91 , 100 , 101 ]. Only a couple of studies to date have examined adipokines in women with PCOS after an aerobic exercise intervention, and these show no change in APN [ 98 , 109 ], although one study did find a decrease in the ratio of leptin to HMW APN and a trend toward lower leptin [ 109 ].…”

“…Exercise interventions with aerobic physical activity largely did not result in changes in the sex hormones, with a few exceptions. Two studies with a 16-week intervention involving brisk walking or jogging at least three days per week resulted in lower fT, DHEA-S, E1-S, and E2 [ 95 ] in the study with a weekly participant follow-up, and lower TT and FAI in the study with personal trainer supervision and a HRM for targeting intensity [ 90 , 91 , 93 ]. A 24-week cycling intervention with medical personnel supervision and continuous electrocardio monitoring resulted in improved T, FAI, and SHBG levels in ovulatory participants at 12 and 24 weeks, and study participants also reported increased intensity of their leisure time physical activity [ 96 ].…”

Effect of high-intensity interval training on metabolic parameters in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

“…The mean age of the participants ranged from 18 to 40 years. Six RCTs included women that had a mean BMI classified as overweight or obese [22,23,[25][26][27][28]; in only one study were the participants classified as "normal weight" [24].…”

“…Only one study compared high-intensity aerobic exercise vs. strength training with a control group (received recommended > 150 minutes per week) [23]. Four studies compared intermittent aerobic training vs. continuous aerobic training with a control group [22,[25][26][27]. The duration of intervention for four studies was 12 weeks, 16 weeks for two studies, and 10 weeks for only one study.…”