Can resistance training improve the symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome?

Abstract

It has been suggested that the symptoms of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) could be improved by resistance training. Design This review focuses on identifying studies that use resistance training to examine how it can affect the symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods Medline, Cochrane, Dare and PubMed databases were searched to find relevant articles. All studies were assessed in terms of their design and methods. Results We found 10 studies that used resistance training to examine how it affects the symptoms of PCOS. Conclusions There is a need for further investigation. Most studies that examine the effects of resistance training on the symptoms of PCOS needed to consider the diet (macronutrient) of the participants along with the resistance training to have a better picture of how resistance training can affect the PCOS symptoms. Many questions are still unanswered.