Efficacy of Long-Distance Versus High-Intensity Running in Alleviating Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Survey of Adolescents

Primary dysmenorrhea is known as cramping pain occurring before or during a period in the absence of pelvic pathology. Exercise, and specifically running, is one of the most effective and well-known methods to relieve primary dysmenorrhea, but how different intensities affect period pain remains unknown. Which is why this paper studied the effects long-distance running and high intensity running had on period pain in adolescents living in Texas. In this paper, a survey was sent to a high school and a middle school to collect data on adolescents aged 14 to 17 who have some level of period pain and have had their period for at least two years with no diagnosed abnormal menstrual conditions. In the end, long-distance running was found to provide more relief on average; however, high-intensity running was found to provide relief for a few people, sometimes to a higher degree than long-distance running. This finding indicates that further research on different exercise intensities is needed to help people get the most relief for primary dysmenorrhea using exercise.