Hormonal
Vigorous aerobic exercise improves body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, and insulin resistance in women with PCOS, whereas resistance training and combined aerobic-resistance interventions show inconsistent or no significant benefits on these specific metabolic markers.
For PCOS management, prioritize vigorous aerobic exercise (like brisk walking, cycling, or swimming) for at least 75-150 minutes per week. This specific modality has the strongest evidence for improving insulin resistance and body composition. Resistance training alone may not provide the same metabolic benefits, so use it as a supplement, not a replacement, for aerobic activity.
promising evidence supports the provision of vigorous aerobic exercise, which has been shown to improve body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness and insulin resistance.
Why this rating
Supported by multiple systematic reviews and meta-analyses of RCTs.
Source
Lifestyle management in polycystic ovary syndrome – beyond diet and physical activity
Stephanie Cowan et al. · BMC Endocrine Disorders · 2023
DOI 10.1186/s12902-022-01208-y
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- Weight loss of 5-10% significantly improves reproductive outcomes (ovulation, menstrual regularity) and metabolic markers (insulin resistance, lipids) in women with PCOS, regardless of the specific dietary composition used to achieve the weight loss.Strong
- Inositol supplementation shows the most promising findings for improving metabolic profiles and reducing hyperandrogenism in PCOS, whereas other supplements, herbal medicines, acupuncture, and yoga have inconsistent evidence.Moderate
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