Effects of weight training program on menstrual regularity and ovulation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects 7-15% of reproductive-aged women, causing ovulatory dysfunction and infertility. Weight training is a promising intervention, but evidence is limited by short-term studies and challenges in ovulation assessment due to elevated luteinizing hormone levels. Methods: This 24-week comparative study at A.B.A. Star Women's Superspeciality Hospital in Karnataka, India, involved 100 women with PCOS allocated (1:1) to a weight training group (n=50) or a no-exercise control group (n=50). Participants voluntarily chose to join, with those willing to exercise assigned to the weight training group after providing informed consent and ruling out contraindications; others joined the control group. The weight training group completed three 60-minute sessions weekly. Menstrual regularity was assessed via diaries (normal: 21-35 days; oligomenorrhea: 36-199 days; amenorrhea: >199 days). Ovulation was measured using i-Know ovulation testing strips (days 10-21), confirmed by serum progesterone (≥5.0 nmol/l). McNemar’s test, paired t tests, ANOVA, and chi-square tests assessed changes (p<0.05). Results: Participants (mean age 28.4±4.2 years, BMI 28.6±5.1 kg/m²) exhibited 89.2% adherence to weight training. The median OPK adherence was 85% (IQR 60%, 95%) initially, declining to 70% (IQR 50%, 90%) later. The weight training group engaged in 4.8±1.7 cycles, with 20% (10/50) improving their regularity (p=0.01 vs. baseline; p=0.03 vs. control), compared to 4.0±1.5 cycles and 5% (2/50) in the controls. Ovulation occurred in 70% (35/50) of the weight training group (2.3±1.4 cycles, p<0.001), while 30% (15/50) in the controls experienced ovulation (0.9±0.8). Conclusions: Weight training significantly improves PCOS ovulation, offering a practical intervention. This study advances non-pharmacological PCOS management.