Effects of continuous and intermittent aerobic physical training on hormonal and metabolic profile, and body composition in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of continuous (CA) and intermittent (IA) aerobic training on hormonal and metabolic parameters and body composition of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).DesignProspective, interventional, randomized study.MethodsRandomized controlled training (RCT) with sample allocation and stratification into three groups: CAT (n = 28) and IAT (n = 29) training and no training [control (CG), n = 30]. Before and after 16 weeks of intervention (CAT or IAT) or observation (CG), hormonal and metabolic parameters, body composition and anthropometric indices were evaluated. Aerobic physical training on a treadmill consisted of 30‐ to 50‐minute sessions with intensities ranging from 60% to 90% of the maximum heart rate.ResultsIn the CA group, there was reduction in waist circumference (WC) (P = .045), hip circumference (P = .032), cholesterol (P ≤ .001), low‐density lipoprotein (P = .030) and testosterone (P ≤ .001). In the IAT group, there was a reduction in WC (P = .014), waist‐to‐hip ratio (P = .012), testosterone (P = .019) and the free androgen index (FAI) (P = .037). The CG showed increases in WC (P = .049), total body mass (P = .015), body fat percentage (P = .034), total mass of the arms (P ≤ .001), trunk fat percentage (P = .033), leg fat percentage (P = .021) and total gynoid mass (P = .011).ConclusionCAT and IAT training reduced anthropometric indices and hyperandrogenism in PCOS, whereas only IAT training reduced the FAI. Furthermore, only CAT training improved the lipid profile.

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

“…In two studies (Almenning et al, 2015; Aktaş et al, 2019) [ 22 , 23 ], the values of TG, total cholesterol, and LDL-C decreased, while HDL-C levels increased. In a study by Ribeiro et al (2020) [ 26 ], the results revealed little evidence that HIIT could cause significant changes in these parameters.…”

“…Only one study (Faryadian et al, 2019) [ 24 ] did not analyze the pre- and post-intervention anthropometric indices of women with PCOS. However, four studies (Lopes et al, 2018; Aktaş et al, 2019; Ribeiro et al, 2019, 2020) [ 22 , 25 , 26 , 27 ] observed a significant decrease in BMI and WHR values after HIIT intervention. In two studies (Almenning et al, 2015; Samadi et al, 2019) [ 23 , 28 ], the percentage of fat or fat mass decreased significantly in the group that performed HIIT.…”

“…Only four studies analyzed some hormonal parameters (follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH], luteinizing hormone [LH], sex hormone-binding globulin [SHBG], and testosterone [TST]) [ 23 , 25 , 26 , 28 ]. Only two studies reported information on the menstrual cycle (self-report) of the participants [ 23 , 28 ].…”

“…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.…”