Effects of continuous and intermittent aerobic physical training on hormonal and metabolic profile, and body composition in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of continuous (CA) and intermittent (IA) aerobic training on hormonal and metabolic parameters and body composition of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Design: Prospective, interventional, randomized study. Methods: Randomized controlled training (RCT) with sample allocation and stratification into three groups: CAT (n = 28) and IAT (n = 29) training and no training [control (CG), n = 30]. Before and after 16 weeks of intervention (CAT or IAT) or observation (CG), hormonal and metabolic parameters, body composition and anthropometric indices were evaluated. Aerobic physical training on a treadmill consisted of 30‐ to 50‐minute sessions with intensities ranging from 60% to 90% of the maximum heart rate. Results: In the CA group, there was reduction in waist circumference (WC) (P =.045), hip circumference (P =.032), cholesterol (P ≤.001), low‐density lipoprotein (P =.030) and testosterone (P ≤.001). In the IAT group, there was a reduction in WC (P =.014), waist‐to‐hip ratio (P =.012), testosterone (P =.019) and the free androgen index (FAI) (P =.037). The CG showed increases in WC (P =.049), total body mass (P =.015), body fat percentage (P =.034), total mass of the arms (P ≤.001), trunk fat percentage (P =.033), leg fat percentage (P =.021) and total gynoid mass (P =.011). Conclusion: CAT and IAT training reduced anthropometric indices and hyperandrogenism in PCOS, whereas only IAT training reduced the FAI. Furthermore, only CAT training improved the lipid profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]