Abstract
Background: 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. Aim: 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 up to December of 2021. Eligible studies included: a randomised controlled design; participants with a diagnosis of PCOS; aerobic and/or resistance exercise intervention lasting ≥4 weeks; cardiometabolic outcomes. Meta-analyses were performed to determine the effect of exercise versus non-exercising control on cardiometabolic outcomes. Results: Of the 4517 studies screened, 18 studies were analysed involving 593 participants. When compared with control, exercise significantly improved cardiorespiratory fitness (weighted mean difference {WMD} = 4.00 mL/kg/min, 95% CI: 2.61 to 5.40, p < 0.001) and waist circumference (WMD = −1.48 cm, 95% CI: −2.35 to −0.62, p = 0.001). Systolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, insulin resistance, and lipid profiles remained unchanged. Conclusions: Regular exercise may improve cardiorespiratory fitness and waist circumference in women with PCOS. Further large-scale studies are required to determine whether exercise interventions improve various biochemical and anthropometric parameters in women with PCOS and more severe cardiometabolic abnormalities.
Highlights
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder which is estimated to affect approximately one in every five women of reproductive age worldwide [1], with variation in prevalence depending on the population and diagnostic criteria used
Eighteen studies involving a total of 593 participants were combined in the meta-analyses, which showed that regular exercise significantly improved cardiorespiratory fitness and central obesity
The results showed that exercise did not improve other cardiometabolic outcomes including systolic blood pressure, insulin resistance, blood glucose levels, and lipid profiles, albeit the baseline values were all within normal ranges
Summary
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder which is estimated to affect approximately one in every five women of reproductive age worldwide [1], with variation in prevalence depending on the population and diagnostic criteria used. The. Rotterdam 2003 criteria, which is the most widely accepted diagnostic criteria, requires two of the following for a diagnosis of PCOS: oligo/anovulation, clinical and/or biochemical signs of hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovaries. Rotterdam 2003 criteria, which is the most widely accepted diagnostic criteria, requires two of the following for a diagnosis of PCOS: oligo/anovulation, clinical and/or biochemical signs of hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovaries These characteristics are often associated with a range of symptoms such as hirsutism, infertility, acne, and overweight and obesity. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), a common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age, increases the risk for cardiometabolic morbidity. Further large-scale studies are required to determine whether exercise interventions improve various biochemical and anthropometric parameters in women with PCOS and more severe cardiometabolic abnormalities
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