Effect Of Exercise On Cardiometabolic Health In Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Systematic Review And Meta-analysis

Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age, increases the risk for cardiometabolic morbidity. While regular exercise is effective in reducing cardiometabolic risk, women with PCOS may experience condition-specific barriers to exercise thereby limiting its efficacy. PURPOSE. To determine the effect of exercise on cardiometabolic risk factors in women with PCOS. METHODS. Five databases (Cochrane, EMBASE, Medline, Scopus and SPORTDiscus) were searched to July of 2020. Eligible studies included: randomised controlled design; participants with a diagnosis of PCOS; aerobic and/or resistance exercise intervention length of ≥4 weeks; cardiometabolic outcomes. Meta-analyses were performed to determine the effect of exercise versus non-exercising control on cardiometabolic outcomes. RESULTS. Of the 3,885 studies retrieved, 16 were included involving 585 participants. When compared with control, exercise significantly improved cardiorespiratory fitness (weighted mean difference [WMD] =4.12 ml/kg/min, 95%CI:2.46 to 5.79, p < 0.001), waist circumference (WMD = -1.48 cm, 95%CI:-2.35 to -0.61, p = 0.001), and systolic blood pressure (WMD = -2.80 mmHg, 95%CI:-5.09 to -0.52, p = 0.016). Fasting blood glucose, insulin resistance, and lipid profiles remained unchanged. CONCLUSIONS. Regular exercise improves various cardiometabolic risk factors including cardiorespiratory fitness, waist circumference, and systolic blood pressure in women with PCOS. Further large-scale studies are required to determine whether exercise interventions improve certain biochemical parameters in women with PCOS and more severe cardiometabolic abnormalities.