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Time to Load Up-Resistance Training Can Improve the Health of Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): A Scoping Review

  • Chris Kite
  • , Elizabeth Parkes
  • , Suzan R Taylor
  • , Robert W Davies
  • , Lukasz Lagojda
  • , James E Brown
  • , David R Broom
  • , Ioannis Kyrou
  • , Harpal S Randeva
    • School of Public Health Studies, Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton WV1 1LY, UK.; Warwickshire Institute for the Study of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism (WISDEM), University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry CV2 2DX, UK.; Centre for Sport, Exercise and Life Sciences, Research Institute for Health & Wellbeing, Coventry University, Coventry CV1 5FB, UK.
    • Chester Medical School, University of Chester, Shrewsbury SY3 8HQ, UK.
    • Clinical Evidence Based Information Service (CEBIS), University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry CV2 2DX, UK
    • Centre for Sport, Exercise and Life Sciences, Research Institute for Health Wellbeing, Coventry University, Coventry CV1 5FB, UK
    • Warwickshire Institute for the Study of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism (WISDEM), University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, CV2 2DX, United Kingdom; Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, United Kingdom

    Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

    14   Link opens in a new tab Citations (SciVal)
    18 Downloads (Pure)

    Abstract

    BACKGROUND: Guidelines for the management of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) focus on lifestyle changes, incorporating exercise. Whilst evidence suggests that aerobic exercise may be beneficial, less is known about the effectiveness of resistance training (RT), which may be more feasible for those that have low fitness levels and/or are unable to tolerate/participate in aerobic exercise.

    OBJECTIVES: To identify the available evidence on RT in women with PCOS and to summarise findings in the context of a scoping review.

    ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Studies utilising pre-post designs to assess the effectiveness of RT in PCOS; all outcomes were included.

    SOURCES OF EVIDENCE: Four databases (PubMed, CENTRAL, CINAHL and SportDiscus) were searched and supplemented by hand searching of relevant papers/reference lists.

    CHARTING METHODS: Extracted data were presented in tables and qualitatively synthesised.

    RESULTS: Searches returned 42 papers; of those, 12 papers were included, relating to six studies/trials. Statistical changes were reported for multiple pertinent outcomes relating to metabolic (i.e., glycaemia and fat-free mass) and hormonal (i.e., testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin) profiles.

    CONCLUSIONS: There is a striking lack of studies in this field and, despite the reported statistical significance for many outcomes, the documented magnitude of changes are small and the quality of the evidence questionable. This highlights an unmet need for rigorously designed/reported and sufficiently powered trials.

    Original languageEnglish
    Article number53
    Number of pages16
    JournalMedical sciences (Basel, Switzerland)
    Volume10
    Issue number4
    Early online date22 Sept 2022
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Dec 2022

    Bibliographical note

    © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ 4.0/).

    Keywords

    • lifestyle
    • Testosterone
    • hormones
    • quality of life
    • Female
    • metabolism
    • Resistance Training
    • strength training
    • Life Style
    • Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin
    • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - therapy
    • Humans
    • women’s health

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