The Effects of a Period of Aerobic Exercises on Sexual Hormones and Appetite in Obese Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Effect of aerobic exercises in obese women with PCOS

https://doi.org/10.22122/ijbmc.v11i4.770
Polycystic ovary syndrome Aerobic exercise Hormonal balance Appetite regulation Obesity Women's health

Authors

  • Marjansadat Rezaei Department of Sport Sciences, Imam Khomeini International University, Qazvin, Iran, Iran, Islamic Republic of
  • Morteza Taheri
    taheri.mortza@ut.ac.ir
    Department of Cognitive and Behavioral Sciences in Sport, School of Sport Sciences and Health, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran, Iran, Islamic Republic of
  • Khadijeh Irandoust Associate Professor, Department of Sport Sciences, Imam Khomeini International University, Qazvin, Iran, Iran, Islamic Republic of
  • Nicola Luigi Bragazzi Human Nutrition Unit (HNU), Department of Food and Drugs, Medical School, Via Volturno, Parma, Italy, Germany
Vol 11, No 4 (2024)
Quantitative Study(ies)
August 14, 2024
August 14, 2024

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Background: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder affecting women of reproductive age, characterized by hyperandrogenism, chronic anovulation, and polycystic ovaries. Obesity often exacerbates the clinical manifestations of PCOS, contributing to insulin resistance, metabolic disturbances, and reproductive issues. This study aims to evaluate the effect of a period of aerobic exercises on sexual hormones and appetite in obese women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).

Methods: This semi-experimental study involved 30 obese women with PCOS, divided into an aerobic exercise group and a control group (15 participants each). The exercise group underwent a supervised 12-week aerobic training program, consisting of three 60-minute sessions per week. Hormonal levels (prolactin, luteinizing hormone [LH], follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH], total testosterone, hydroxyprogesterone, LH/FSH ratio) and appetite scores were measured before and after the intervention. Statistical analyses were performed using ANCOVA to assess the impact of the exercise intervention, adjusting for pre-test scores.

Results: Significant improvements were observed in the experimental group post-intervention. Prolactin levels decreased from 20.95 ± 2.63 ng/mL to 18.50 ± 1.82 ng/mL (P < 0.001), LH levels from 9.47 ± 2.35 mIU/mL to 6.02 ± 1.45 mIU/mL (P < 0.001), FSH levels from 5.21 ± 1.09 mIU/mL to 4.21 ± 1.22 mIU/mL (P < 0.001), total testosterone levels from 59.19 ± 20.20 g/mL to 40.62 ± 14.81 g/mL (P < 0.001), and hydroxyprogesterone levels from 4.83 ± 1.65 Mol/L to 3.98 ± 0.95 Mol/L (P < 0.001). The LH/FSH ratio improved from 1.87 ± 0.54 to 1.52 ± 0.47 (P = 0.025), and appetite scores decreased from 7.53 ± 1.50 to 6.33 ± 1.18 (P < 0.001).

Conclusion: Aerobic exercise significantly improves hormonal profiles and reduces appetite in obese women with PCOS, highlighting its potential as an effective therapeutic intervention. Regular aerobic training can address both reproductive and metabolic aspects of PCOS, enhancing overall health and quality of life.