Adding spine-core exercises to aerobic exercise for women with PCOS

AI summary

From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.

The trial is looking for women aged 18 to 45 with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) who are overweight or obese and do very little exercise.

Age

18 to 45 years (before menopause)

Sex

Women only

Disease stage

PCOS diagnosed by an obstetrician-gynecologist, with a body mass index between 25 and 39.9 kg/m². Physical activity below 600 MET-min/week (inactive) on the IPAQ-SF questionnaire.

Earlier treatment

Cannot be taking blood pressure medicines, insulin-sensitizing drugs, nutritional supplements or weight-loss medicines. Cannot be in a diet program.

Main reasons for not taking part

• Pregnancy
• Diabetes
• Smoking
• Congenital adrenal hyperplasia, thyroid diseases, hyperprolactinemia or Cushing's syndrome
• Musculoskeletal disorders that prevent exercise

The registry criteria, word for word

Check if you might fit

Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.

• Are you between 18 and 45 years old?YesNo

What the trial wants to find out

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a multisystemic disorder with metabolic and endocrine implications, commonly observed in women of reproductive age and characterized by hyperandrogenism, ovulatory dysfunction, and polycystic ovarian morphology. Insulin resistance, chronic low-grade inflammation, hormonal imbalances, and obesity can contribute to reduced cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular endurance, in addition to the metabolic complications associated with PCOS. Furthermore, psychosocial effects such as depression, anxiety, and impaired quality of life may also occur. Lifestyle modifications and exercise are among the first-line approaches in the management of PCOS. Aerobic and resistance exercises have been reported to have positive effects on insulin resistance, cardiometabolic risk factors, hormonal profiles, inflammation, body composition, and reproductive functions. However, evidence regarding the specific effects of different exercise modalities on physical fitness components-such as cardiovascular and muscular endurance, which are adversely affected in PCOS-remains limited. Spinal stabilization exercises constitute an exercise approach aimed at enhancing core muscle strength and endurance, postural control, and movement quality by targeting deep trunk muscle activation, lumbopelvic stability, and neuromuscular control. Although studies exist regarding Pilates interventions targeting the core region in individuals with PCOS, no study has been found that examines the effects of spinal stabilization exercises administered either in isolation or as an adjunct to aerobic exercise. Therefore, it is hypothesized that incorporating spinal stabilization exercises into an aerobic exercise regimen may provide additional benefits-particularly regarding metabolic, hormonal, and inflammatory outcomes, alongside physical fitness components.

The 2 groups in the trial

• aerobic exercise groupExisting treatment, for comparison

  Treatment: Aerobic Exercise

• spinal stabilization exercise group combined with aerobic exerciseTreatment being tested

  Treatment: Aerobic Exercise and Spinal Stabilization Exercise