| dc.description.abstract | Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder affecting 6-20% of reproductive-age women. Women with PCOS tend to accumulate more upper body fat,
and the syndrome is often present with abdominal obesity and visceral adiposity which is further
associated with metabolic – and cardiovascular complications. Despite well-established benefits
of exercise and its recommendation in PCOS management, few randomized controlled trials have
evaluated the benefits of exercise as the only intervention on body composition in women with
PCOS. Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of high-intensity
interval training (HIT) and strength training (ST) versus control, on body composition in women
with PCOS. Methods: We did a randomized controlled trial, including 31 previously sedentary
women randomly assigned to one of three groups; High intensity interval training (HIT; n = 10),
strength training (ST; n = 11) and control (CG; n = 10). At baseline and 10 weeks follow-up,
body composition and anthropometrics was evaluated and compared between groups. Outcome
measures: Body composition and visceral fat (VF), body weight, and waist circumference (WC).
Results: Twenty-five women completed the study intervention and post-training testing (ST;
n=8, HIT; n=8 and CG; n=9). Weight did not change in any group. There was a significant
decrease in percentage fat mass (FM) after ST [EMM: -1.6, 95% CI: -2.5 to -0.7] and HIT [EMM:
-0.9, 95% CI: -2.2 to -0.0], respectively. Fat-free mass (FFM) increased significantly after ST
[EMM: 1.2, 95% CI: 0.4 – 2.1], but not after HIT [EMM: 0.4, 95% CI: -0.2 to 1.1]. There was
no significant between-group differences in the change in percentage FM (p=0.54) and FFM
(p=0.18). There was no changes in WC or VF within or between groups. Conclusion: These data
indicates that in the absence of body weight changes, both ST and HIT have beneficial effect on
body composition in women with PCOS. Percentage FM decreased significantly after both ST
and HIT, and FFM increased significantly after ST. | nb_NO |
