Chapters authored
Exercise Interventions for the Management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): An Update of the Literature
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) affects 6–10% women of reproductive age, and the diagnosis requires two of the three criteria: (1) menstrual irregularity; (2) polycystic ovaries on ultrasound; (3) elevated hormones (such as testosterone). Approximately 50–70% women have underlying insulin resistance and/or have a body mass index (BMI) greater than 28.0 kg/m2, and if not managed, it can worsen the symptoms of PCOS. The first line of treatment for PCOS includes lifestyle management such as diet and/or exercise. Previous studies evaluated interventions such as aerobic, aerobic plus resistance and high intensity aerobic. These interventions formed part of the initial guidelines for the management of PCOS, although the guidelines did not include recommendations of resistance training in isolation. More recently, new studies have emerged which assessed resistance training interventions in isolation in PCOS, where these findings led to an update in the guidelines in PCOS to recommend resistance training as part of the management. The chapter will look to provide an update of the exercise literature in PCOS, as well as provide recommendations for future research.
Part of the book: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome