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.