EFFECTS OF HIGH-INTENSITY INTERVAL TRAINING AND STRENGTH TRAINING ON LEVELS OF TESTOSTERONE AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AMONG WOMEN WITH POLYCYSTIC OVARY

A. Khan¹, M. Rao¹, S. Farooqui², Q. Adnan³, A. Zahoor²

¹Ziauddin University, Ziauddin College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan, ²Ziauddin University, Karachi, Pakistan, ³Ziauddin University, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan

Background: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a complexly diverse endocrine disorder mainly denoted by hyperandrogenism and ovulatory dysfunction. Hyperandrogenism affects body morphology resulting in an increase in body mass index that induces a social pressure of outlook leading to depression and anxiety. Despite not being a part of the diagnostic criteria for PCOs, obesity is one of the most prevalent complications followed by physical inactivity and a sedentary lifestyle, further exacerbating the condition.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Twelve weeks of HIIT on serum testosterone level, body fat percentage (BF%), and level of physical activity (PA) among females with PCOS

Methods: Fifty participants were enrolled in two arms, single-blinded randomized clinical trial. Group A performed High-Intensity Interval Training on alternate days per week for 12 weeks and group B performed Strength Training on alternate days per week for 12 weeks. Pre-post assessments included serum testosterone levels, body fat percentage using the skinfold method, and level of physical activity assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire.

Results: After twelve weeks of intervention, both groups showed significant improvements in nearly all the outcomes. However, group A HITT showed statistically significant results compared to group B Strength Training in lowering serum testosterone levels (P=0.049) and body fat percentage (P=0.001) and increasing physical activity levels (P=0.006) but interestingly no statistical significance was obtained for BMI in the HITT group.

Conclusions: With the advent of this pandemic, the rise of physical inactivity adverse the quality of life especially among women suffering from PCOs. The implementation of social distancing and the hassle of maintaining COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedures reduced the outpatient of females with PCOs. Therefore our study has successfully established that cost-effective HIITwas successful in improving serum testosterone levels, BF% and enhanced levels of Physical Activity.

Implications: At the National level, this study is one of its kind to be conducted in Pakistan where the Asian-Pacific Classification of BMI is utilized. It is recommended that more high-quality trials with a larger sample size spanning the different cities for more concrete evidence regarding PCOS prevalence, evaluation, and management in Pakistan should be conducted. Moreover, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire- Urdu version should be utilized in the both Rehabilitation Department of the public and private sectors not only to assess physical activity but also to promote it.

Funding acknowledgements: N/A

Keywords:
High-intensity interval training
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Physical Activity

Topics:
Health promotion & wellbeing/healthy ageing/physical activity
Pelvic, sexual and reproductive health

Did this work require ethics approval? Yes

Institution: Ziauddin University

Committee: Ethical Review Committee, Ziauddin University

Ethics number: 3100121MRRS