The Effect of Exercise on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Annabelle Breyley-Smith, Aya Mousa, Helena J. Teede, Nathan A. Johnson and Angelo Sabag
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Annabelle Breyley-Smith: Faculty of Medicine and Health, Discipline of Exercise and Sports Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
Aya Mousa: Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation (MCHRI), School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
Helena J. Teede: Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation (MCHRI), School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
Nathan A. Johnson: Faculty of Medicine and Health, Discipline of Exercise and Sports Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
Angelo Sabag: NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 3, 1-30

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.

Keywords: women’s health; cardiometabolic health; cardiorespiratory fitness; waist circumference; physical activity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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