Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Exercise

NCT ID: NCT03362918

Last Updated: 2020-07-10

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.

Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

60 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2018-01-01

Study Completion Date

2020-04-17

Brief Summary

Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder characterized by oligo-ovulatory menstrual dysfunction, androgen excess and polycystic ovaries. It affects ten to fifteen percent of reproductive-age women and has been associated with complications in reproductive, metabolic and cardiovascular health. Current Clinical Practice Guidelines suggest exercise and weight loss for PCOS, although their specific roles in improving PCOS-related symptoms are uncertain.

Non-pharmacological treatments are appealing to many reproductive age women. There is preliminary evidence that exercise in PCOS may increase menstrual regularity, ovulation, cardiorespiratory fitness, health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and self-esteem, and decrease body fat and insulin resistance. These studies have been limited by short durations and lack of randomization or appropriate control groups.

High-intensity interval training (HIIT), which involves brief intervals of near-maximal exercise alternating with lower-intensity exercise, is becoming increasingly popular in the exercise community. In some non-PCOS trials, HIIT resulted in improved cardiovascular fitness and greater fat loss compared with continuous aerobic exercise. No other trials are currently on-going that are comparing HIIT with continuous aerobic exercise training in women with PCOS (as confirmed by searches of the literature and the clinical trials registry maintained by the US NIH).

Detailed Description

Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.

Conditions

See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Study Design

Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.

Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Outcome Assessors
The outcome assessors will be blind to the allocation of the study participants.

Study Groups

Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.

Control Group

Participants randomized to the control group will continue with their usual level of physical activity. They will track their menstrual cycles and perform daily ovulation tests.

Once all post-intervention assessments are complete, they will have the option to begin an exercise program with three supervised sessions of either high-intensity interval training or continuous aerobic exercise training free of charge. They will be given a Polar heart rate (HR) monitor as a gift for their participation in the study.

Group Type NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

High-Intensity Interval Training

Participants randomized to this group will complete three high intensity interval training sessions per week, two of which will be supervised. They will exercise for a total of 30 minutes per session. Each session will begin with a five-minute warm-up and end with a five-minute cool-down.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

High Intensity Interval Training

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

The exercise prescription is as follows:

Type: High-Intensity Interval Training on a treadmill, elliptical trainer or cycle ergometer.

Intensity: 30 seconds of high-intensity alternating with 90 seconds of low intensity for a total of 10 cycles

* High intensity for most individuals will occur at approximately 90% of maximum heart rate. Using the rating of perceived exertion scale, participants should be exercising at a 9/10, which is very difficult to maintain the intensity and results in only being able to speak a few words at a time.
* Low intensity is defined as light activity and rated as 2-3/10 on the rating of perceived exertion scale. Participants should be able to carry on a conversation and maintain the pace for hours.

Duration: 30 minutes Frequency: 3 times per week

Continuous Aerobic Exercise Training

Participants randomized to this group will complete three continuous aerobic training sessions per week, two of which will be supervised. They will exercise for a total of 50 minutes per session. Each session will begin with a five-minute warm-up and end with a five-minute cool down.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Continuous Aerobic Exercise Training

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

The exercise prescription for the continuous aerobic exercise group is as follows:

Type: Aerobic exercise including walking, running, cycling or using the elliptical trainer.

Intensity: Moderate intensity, defined as 50-60% of the participant's maximum heart rate. On the rating of perceived exertion scale, this corresponds with a 4-6/10, which allows participants to hold a conversation while breathing heavily.

Duration: 50 minutes Frequency: 3 times per week

Interventions

Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.

High Intensity Interval Training

The exercise prescription is as follows:

Type: High-Intensity Interval Training on a treadmill, elliptical trainer or cycle ergometer.

Intensity: 30 seconds of high-intensity alternating with 90 seconds of low intensity for a total of 10 cycles

* High intensity for most individuals will occur at approximately 90% of maximum heart rate. Using the rating of perceived exertion scale, participants should be exercising at a 9/10, which is very difficult to maintain the intensity and results in only being able to speak a few words at a time.
* Low intensity is defined as light activity and rated as 2-3/10 on the rating of perceived exertion scale. Participants should be able to carry on a conversation and maintain the pace for hours.

Duration: 30 minutes Frequency: 3 times per week

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Continuous Aerobic Exercise Training

The exercise prescription for the continuous aerobic exercise group is as follows:

Type: Aerobic exercise including walking, running, cycling or using the elliptical trainer.

Intensity: Moderate intensity, defined as 50-60% of the participant's maximum heart rate. On the rating of perceived exertion scale, this corresponds with a 4-6/10, which allows participants to hold a conversation while breathing heavily.

Duration: 50 minutes Frequency: 3 times per week

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.

Inclusion Criteria

* Participants will be eligible for inclusion if they are females between the ages of 18 and 40 years with a diagnosis of PCOS according to the 2003 revised Rotterdam criteria, confirmed by a qualified member of our research team. Participants will have at least two of the three following criteria:

1. Oligo-ovulation or anovulation. Oligo-ovulation is defined as menstrual cycles greater than 35 days or less than 8 menstrual cycles per year. Anovulation is defined as no ovulation in more than 90 days.
2. Clinical and/or biochemical signs of hyperandrogenism. Clinical hyperandrogenism is defined as a modified Ferriman Gallwey score greater than or equal to 8. Biochemical hyperandrogenism is defined as a free androgen index greater than or equal to 5.1.
3. Polycystic ovaries defined as the presence of 12 or more follicles in each ovary measuring 2-9 mm in diameter, and/or increased ovarian volume (\>10 mL).

Exclusion Criteria

* Participants must not have a diagnosis of or clinical evidence of Cushing's syndrome, androgen-secreting tumours, congenital adrenal hyperplasia including classical and non-classical, uncontrolled thyroid dysfunction, diabetes, hemoglobin A1c greater than or equal to 6.5%, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, premature ovarian insufficiency, or hyperprolactinemia.
* Participants must not be pregnant or breastfeeding within the three months prior to enrolment and must not be using or have used a hormonal contraceptive within three months of enrolment.
* Participants will be excluded if they are taking any medications to treat insulin resistance including metformin, medications likely to increase insulin resistance such as corticosteroids, or any medications that may affect ovulation including clomiphene citrate, letrozole, or gonadotropins. They must not be taking medications to treat hirsutism including spironolactone.
* Participants must not be habitually exercising more than two times per week for more than twenty minutes per session.
* Participants must be able to participate in the exercise intervention, therefore will be excluded if they have a physical injury, illness or disability that prevents them from doing so.
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

40 Years

Eligible Sex

FEMALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

Meet the organizations funding or collaborating on the study and learn about their roles.

University of Calgary

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

Identify the individual or organization who holds primary responsibility for the study information submitted to regulators.

Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Learn about the lead researchers overseeing the trial and their institutional affiliations.

Ronald J Sigal, MD, MPH

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Calgary, [email protected]

Locations

Explore where the study is taking place and check the recruitment status at each participating site.

University of Calgary Clinical Trials Unit

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Site Status

Countries

Review the countries where the study has at least one active or historical site.

Canada

References

Explore related publications, articles, or registry entries linked to this study.

Lizneva D, Suturina L, Walker W, Brakta S, Gavrilova-Jordan L, Azziz R. Criteria, prevalence, and phenotypes of polycystic ovary syndrome. Fertil Steril. 2016 Jul;106(1):6-15. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2016.05.003. Epub 2016 May 24.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 27233760 (View on PubMed)

Sirmans SM, Pate KA. Epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of polycystic ovary syndrome. Clin Epidemiol. 2013 Dec 18;6:1-13. doi: 10.2147/CLEP.S37559.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 24379699 (View on PubMed)

Ehrmann DA. Polycystic ovary syndrome. N Engl J Med. 2005 Mar 24;352(12):1223-36. doi: 10.1056/NEJMra041536. No abstract available.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 15788499 (View on PubMed)

Legro RS, Arslanian SA, Ehrmann DA, Hoeger KM, Murad MH, Pasquali R, Welt CK; Endocrine Society. Diagnosis and treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome: an Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2013 Dec;98(12):4565-92. doi: 10.1210/jc.2013-2350. Epub 2013 Oct 22.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 24151290 (View on PubMed)

Thomson RL, Buckley JD, Noakes M, Clifton PM, Norman RJ, Brinkworth GD. The effect of a hypocaloric diet with and without exercise training on body composition, cardiometabolic risk profile, and reproductive function in overweight and obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2008 Sep;93(9):3373-80. doi: 10.1210/jc.2008-0751. Epub 2008 Jun 26.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 18583464 (View on PubMed)

Turan V, Mutlu EK, Solmaz U, Ekin A, Tosun O, Tosun G, Mat E, Gezer C, Malkoc M. Benefits of short-term structured exercise in non-overweight women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a prospective randomized controlled study. J Phys Ther Sci. 2015 Jul;27(7):2293-7. doi: 10.1589/jpts.27.2293. Epub 2015 Jul 22.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 26311969 (View on PubMed)

Vizza L, Smith CA, Swaraj S, Agho K, Cheema BS. The feasibility of progressive resistance training in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a pilot randomized controlled trial. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2016 May 11;8:14. doi: 10.1186/s13102-016-0039-8. eCollection 2016.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 27175282 (View on PubMed)

Aubuchon M, Laughbaum N, Poetker A, Williams D, Thomas M. Supervised short-term nutrition and exercise promotes weight loss in overweight and obese patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. Fertil Steril. 2009 Apr;91(4 Suppl):1336-8. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2008.03.028. Epub 2008 Jun 13.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 18555225 (View on PubMed)

Nybacka A, Carlstrom K, Stahle A, Nyren S, Hellstrom PM, Hirschberg AL. Randomized comparison of the influence of dietary management and/or physical exercise on ovarian function and metabolic parameters in overweight women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Fertil Steril. 2011 Dec;96(6):1508-13. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2011.09.006. Epub 2011 Sep 29.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 21962963 (View on PubMed)

Jedel E, Labrie F, Oden A, Holm G, Nilsson L, Janson PO, Lind AK, Ohlsson C, Stener-Victorin E. Impact of electro-acupuncture and physical exercise on hyperandrogenism and oligo/amenorrhea in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2011 Jan;300(1):E37-45. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.00495.2010. Epub 2010 Oct 13.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 20943753 (View on PubMed)

Thomson RL, Buckley JD, Brinkworth GD. Exercise for the treatment and management of overweight women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a review of the literature. Obes Rev. 2011 May;12(5):e202-10. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-789X.2010.00758.x.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 20546140 (View on PubMed)

Batacan RB Jr, Duncan MJ, Dalbo VJ, Tucker PS, Fenning AS. Effects of high-intensity interval training on cardiometabolic health: a systematic review and meta-analysis of intervention studies. Br J Sports Med. 2017 Mar;51(6):494-503. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2015-095841. Epub 2016 Oct 20.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 27797726 (View on PubMed)

Benham JL, Booth JE, Friedenreich CM, Rabi DM, Sigal RJ. Comparative Success of Recruitment Strategies for an Exercise Intervention Trial Among Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Observational Study. J Med Internet Res. 2021 Mar 30;23(3):e25208. doi: 10.2196/25208.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 33783363 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

Review additional registry numbers or institutional identifiers associated with this trial.

REB17-1574

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

More Related Trials

Additional clinical trials that may be relevant based on similarity analysis.

PCOS & Insulin Resistance Exercise Study
NCT02303470 ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING NA