The effects of aerobic training on biochemical parameters in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome

this study aimed at evaluating the effects of aerobic training on clinical symptoms and biochemical parameters of PCOS women. To conduct this semi-experimental study, 24 PCOS women were randomly selected and subdivided into two 12-subject groups. The mean age, height, weight and BMI of the subjects were 22.7± 3.77 yrs, 159.87± 5.29 Cm, 69.88± 14.12 Kg and 27.53± 5.02, respectively. The PCOS-T (trained) group underwent a 3-month structured aerobic training program (ET) which lasted for 12 weeks, whereas the PCOS-UnT (untrained) group had not any training. Clinical data (ovarian morphology, BF%, WC, WHR) and serum hormone levels (insulin, Androstenedione, testosterone, DHEA- S and SHBG) were evaluated at the onset of study and re-evaluated after 12 weeks. Paired and sample t-tests were used for statistical analysis (α ≤ 0.05). At the end of the 3-month ET, PCOS-T showed a significant reduction in ovarian volume (Right ovarian) (P = 0.001), Left ovarian (P = 0.002), BF% (P = 0.004), WC (P = 0.002), and WHR (P = 0.01). Fasting insulin (P = 0.0004) and Androtestenedione hormone (P = 0.01) significantly reduced in PCOS-T. Serum testosterone (P = 0.53), DHEA- S (P = 0.16) and SHBG levels (P = 0.40) remained unchanged in PCOS-T. After 3 months, subjects in PCOS-UnT group did not show any changes in any of above-mentioned measurements. The presumable mechanisms thorough which aerobic exercise did affect ovarian size are as follows: emergence of an endocrine environment following an increase in SHBG, decrease of free androgen and improvement in insulin sensitivity. The ovarian size changes in PCOS women may decrease circulating Androtestenedione, which in turn can improve clinical symptoms and biochemical parameters.