Evaluation of Changes in Levels of Hyperandrogenism, Hirsutism and Menstrual Regulation After a Period of Aquatic High Intensity Interval Training in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a polygenic endocrine disorder in women of reproductive ages which will lead to infertility. This study is aimed to determine changes in levels of hyperandrogenism, hirsutism and menstrual regulation after a period of aquatic high intensity interval training (AHIIT) in women with PCOS.

Methods: Thirty patients with PCOS having age between 20 and 35 and body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m in obstetrics and gynaecology clinics in Isfahan were selected based on Rotterdam Diagnostic Criteria. They were randomly divided into experimental (AHIIT + metformin, = 15) and control groups (metformin, = 15). The exercises were done for 12 weeks, three sessions of 20 minutes. Metformin (1500 mg) was taken daily for 3 consecutive days for 12 weeks. Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, -test, Covariance and Wilcoxon were applied ( value < 0.05).

Results: After 12 weeks, no significant difference was observed in waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), but in AHIIT, the BMI and fat mass significantly decreased and levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), free testosterone (FT) and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) increased compared to control group ( < 0.05). While levels of improvement of total testosterone (TT), dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS), FT, luteinising hormone (LH) and free androgen index (FAI) were not significant between the two groups ( > 0.05). Furthermore, there was a significant decrease in homeostatic assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and hirsutism severity in experimental group ( < 0.05). In both groups, the order of menstrual cycles improved significantly ( < 0.05).

Conclusions: Doing AHIIT besides drug therapy can be effective for PCOS patients.