International Journal of Preventive Medicine (Int J Prev Med)2008-780210102020020921782178ENDepartment of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Isfahan, IsfahanDepartment of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Isfahan, IsfahanNursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, IsfahanDepartment of Gynecology, AL Zahra Hospital, Sofhe Street, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan20200209<p><span class="fontstyle0"><strong>Background</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle2">Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a polygenic endocrine disorder in women of<br />reproductive ages which will lead to infertility. This study is aimed to determine changes in levels<br />of hyperandrogenism, hirsutism and menstrual regulation after a period of aquatic high intensity<br />interval training (AHIIT) in women with PCOS. </span></p><p><span class="fontstyle0"><strong>Methods</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle2">Thirty patients with PCOS having age<br />between 20 and 35 and body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m</span><span class="fontstyle2" style="font-size: 5pt;">2 </span><span class="fontstyle2">in obstetrics and gynaecology clinics<br />in Isfahan were selected based on Rotterdam Diagnostic Criteria. They were randomly divided<br />into experimental (AHIIT + metformin, </span><span class="fontstyle3">N </span><span class="fontstyle2">= 15) and control groups (metformin, </span><span class="fontstyle3">N </span><span class="fontstyle2">= 15). The<br />exercises were done for 12 weeks, three sessions of 20 minutes. Metformin (1500 mg) was taken<br />daily for 3 consecutive days for 12 weeks. Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, </span><span class="fontstyle3">t</span><span class="fontstyle2">‑test, Covariance and<br />Wilcoxon were applied (</span><span class="fontstyle3">P </span><span class="fontstyle2">value &lt; 0.05). </span></p><p><span class="fontstyle0"><strong>Results</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle2">After 12 weeks, no significant difference was<br />observed in waist‑to‑hip ratio (WHR), but in AHIIT, the BMI and fat mass significantly decreased<br />and levels of follicle‑stimulating hormone (FSH), free testosterone (FT) and sex hormone binding<br />globulin (SHBG) increased compared to control group (</span><span class="fontstyle3">P </span><span class="fontstyle2">&lt; 0.05). While levels of improvement<br />of total testosterone (TT), dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS), FT, luteinising hormone (LH)<br />and free androgen index (FAI) were not significant between the two groups (</span><span class="fontstyle3">P </span><span class="fontstyle2">&gt; 0.05). Furthermore,<br />there was a significant decrease in homeostatic assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA‑IR) and<br />hirsutism severity in experimental group (</span><span class="fontstyle3">P </span><span class="fontstyle2">&lt; 0.05). In both groups, the order of menstrual cycles<br />improved significantly (</span><span class="fontstyle3">P </span><span class="fontstyle2">&lt; 0.05). </span></p><p><span class="fontstyle0"><strong>Conclusions</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle2">Doing AHIIT besides drug therapy can be effective<br />for PCOS patients.<br /></span></p><p><span class="fontstyle0" style="color: #00652e;"><strong>Keywords</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle3">AHIIT, hyperandrogenemia, hirsutism, menstrual, PCOS</span></p>http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/view/2178http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/download/2178/717717974