Exercise for the management of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Effects of intermittent walking on cardiorespiratory fitness in women with obesity and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): a randomised pilot study
IRAS ID
218213
Contact name
James Brown
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Aston University
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
researchregistry3538, Research Registry unique identification number
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Can intermittent walking improve cardiorespiratory fitness in obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?
The proposed project is a pilot study to investigate whether an intermittent walking programme can help to manage the symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is a common endocrine condition that may affect up to 20% of women. Physical activity has been shown to be an effective treatment for many of the symptoms associated with PCOS, including body fat pecentage, blood lipids and cardiorespiratory fitness. It is thought that increasing physical activity levels, as part of a wider lifestyle change, may facilitate favourable changes for PCOS women. Accordingly, obese women with PCOS will be recruited through a specialist clinic at Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust. Baseline testing will incorporate measures of cardiorespiratory fitness and metabolic rate and take place within hospital grounds. Following baseline testing, participants will be randomised into either an intermittent walking group, or a control group. Both groups will receive standardised dietary guidance. Intermittent walking sessions involve low-intensity bouts of walking, alternated with high-intensity walking for a total of thirty minutes, four times per week, for 12 weeks. Following the intervention, all participants will repeat the tests from baseline; this will allow an assessment of the impact of the intervention on a range of metabolic and cardiorespiratory outcomes as well as improvements to participants’ overall quality of life. The usual care group will also be offered the intervention upon completion of the study. The findings of this pilot study will be used to assess the usefulness of, and potentially inform the design, of a future study.
REC name
West Midlands - Black Country Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/WM/0123
Date of REC Opinion
5 Jun 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion