Research
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Vigorous aerobic exercise (≥3 days/week, 30+ min, ≥60% VO2max) and combined resistance training improve insulin sensitivity and androgen levels in adolescents with PCOS.
Teens with PCOS should aim for at least 3 days of vigorous aerobic exercise (keeping heart rate at 60% of max) and 3 days of strength training per week. This combination is more effective for improving androgen levels than exercise alone.
ModerateSupportsMEDIUM confidence
As reported [38], vigorous aerobic exercise practiced consistently over the long term (at least three days per week for 30 min or more) and associated with heart rate and/or VO2max monitoring (≥60% VO2max) can improve insulin sensitivity. Improvements in androgen seem to be more likely with combined exercise that includes progressive resistance training or strength training three days per week on non-consecutive days [38].
Why this rating
Based on cited literature [38], not a primary RCT in this paper.
Source
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Insulin-Resistant Adolescents with Obesity: The Role of Nutrition Therapy and Food Supplements as a Strategy to Protect Fertility
Valeria Calcaterra et al. · Nutrients · 2021
DOI 10.3390/nu13061848
narrative_reviewCited 171×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
More from this paper
- Insulin resistance (IR) and hyperinsulinemia are key etiological components of PCOS that drive excessive ovarian androgen production, leading to reproductive dysfunction, independent of but amplified by obesity.Good
- Medical nutrition therapy (MNT) and lifestyle interventions are the first-line treatment for adolescents with PCOS and obesity, aiming to restore ovulation and protect fertility by improving insulin resistance and metabolic function.Moderate
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