Effects of Exercise Interventions on Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

To systematically evaluate the effectiveness of exercise in improving anthropometric parameters, metabolic parameters, reproductive function, cardiopulmonary function, and quality of life in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. A comprehensive search was conducted in 10 databases, covering the period from database inception to December 2024. Only randomized controlled trials were included. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3. This study followed the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Fifteen randomized controlled trials were included after peer review. Meta-analysis demonstrated that exercise had a significant effect on body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance, fasting insulin, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, cardiorespiratory function, and quality of life compared with the control group. However, no significant effects were found on reproductive function. Exercise had the potential to improve anthropometric parameters (body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio), metabolic parameters (homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance, fasting insulin, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol), cardiorespiratory function (peak oxygen uptake), and quality of life in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Keywords: anthropometry; cardiopulmonary fitness; exercise; metabolism; polycystic ovary syndrome; quality of life; reproduction.