Resistance Training in Managing the symptoms of PCOS - A review

INTRODUCTION?

The complex endocrine disorder, Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects approximately 8 to 13% of reproductive-aged women. Around 70% of the women suffering from PCOS remain undiagnosed globally. PCOS is linked with multiple health problems including endocrinological, cardiovascular, oncological, and psychological co-morbidities that could be long-term and that affect the physical and emotional well-being of the individual. Weight loss is considered the first line of therapy to manage PCOS. There are guidelines which recommend that for managing PCOS the focus should be on lifestyle changes and incorporating exercise.?

OBJECTIVE?

The broad objective of the study was to assess the available evidence on resistance training among women with PCOS.

METHODS?

A review of the literature search was performed using terms such as ‘PCOS’, ‘polycystic ovary syndrome’, ‘Obesity’, ‘Overweight’, ‘Lifestyle’, ‘weight loss’, ‘Diet’ and ‘Resistance training’. The search was performed through reference tracking, from databases such as Pubmed, Web of Science, Scopus and ScienceDirect for relevant studies. Original articles and review papers on PCOS and resistance training involving human participants were considered for the study.?

RESULTS?

A review of previous studies suggests lifestyle intervention is an effective strategy to support improvements in the health and well-being of women with PCOS. Women with PCOS who underwent an exercise intervention had improved parameters in terms of fasting insulin, insulin resistance, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides, cardiorespiratory fitness, waist circumference and body fat percentage as compared to those receiving no intervention. Each RT program was associated with reduced body fat as an outcome in women with PCOS, primarily due to reduced abdominal adiposity. This outcome is promising, as a modest weight loss of 5-10% of total body weight will likely produce health benefits, such as improved insulin sensitivity and total cholesterol.

CONCLUSION?

The findings of the studies recommend that resistance training is an effective management strategy for reducing the symptoms among women with PCOS.? Also, there is a need for large studies.

Keywords: Resistance Training, Lifestyle, Diet, BMI, PCOS, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome