Resistance training in polycystic ovary syndrome: Intervention study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Resistance training:The key to resisting hypertension in polycystic ovary syndrome? Intervention study.
IRAS ID
352599
Contact name
Rachel Lord
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cardiff Metropolitan University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 31 days
Research summary
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with a higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and an increased lifetime risk of cardiovascular disease. These risk factors include increased blood pressure and poorer function of blood vessels (vascular function). The excess cardiovascular risk in PCOS is attributed to the high levels of androgen hormones (e.g., testosterone) that are common in PCOS. Current treatment guidelines advise lifestyle modifications (healthy diet and exercise) to reduce cardiovascular risk. However, existing research is equivocal on whether traditional aerobic exercise reduces cardiovascular risk in individuals with PCOS as effectively as in the general population. Given the role of testosterone in improving muscle mass and function during resistance training, this form of exercise may be particularly effective in individuals with hyperandrogenic PCOS.
This study is a follow-up to an ongoing study (IRAS 349896) in which we are using coproduction methods to co-design a resistance training intervention with participants with PCOS. These methods facilitate participants leading the design of the intervention in collaboration with researchers, and have been shown to improve acceptability, enjoyment and adherence to exercise interventions. The current IRAS application is for a study that tests the effect of the coproduced intervention on vascular function and blood pressure in individuals with PCOS.
Please note: At the time of submission, the resistance training intervention has not been finalised. Therefore, we have included two versions of the participants information sheet, one to be used if the intervention is entirely conducted at home and one to be used if the intervention is partly or fully conducted in the gym. Yellow highlight in the participant-facing documents indicates wording options that will be finalised in line with the final co-produced intervention.
REC name
HSC REC B
REC reference
25/NI/0034
Date of REC Opinion
18 Feb 2025
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion