The effects of 8 weeks of moderate intensity aerobic exercise on menstrual cycle disorders and serum levels of sex hormones in non athlete women

Considering the physical and psychological benefits of aerobic exercise and complications of menstrual disorders as familial and social problems, this study was conducted to investigate the effects of 8 weeks of moderate intensity aerobic exercise on menstrual cycle disorders and levels of estrogen and progesterone in non athlete women.
Material and In this study, 20 women with menstrual disorder were randomly divided into two experimental (age: 23.6±3.1 years, height: 161.0±4.2 cm, weight: 58.2± 6.2 kg) and control groups (age: 23.4±3.2 years, height: 162±5.1cm, weight: 57.5± 7.1kg). The experimental group performed 8 weeks of moderate intensity aerobic exercise with 60-85% MHR. Before and after the training period, blood samples were taken from the subjects in the follicular phase to measure the levels of sex hormones. The subjects were asked to fill out the standard questionnaire for identification of the kind of menstrual disorders. Levels of progesterone and estrogen hormones were measured using electrochemiluminescence method. Data analysis was performed by using SPSS20. p In the experimental group, we found a significant decrease in Visual Analog Scale for Pain (VAS Pain) after 8 weeks of moderate intensity exercise compared to pre exercise stage and also control groups (p Regular moderate intensity endurance exercise decreases menstrual disorders probably due to increase in the estrogen and progesterone secretion. Therefore, these exercise training programs can be used as a preventive, therapeutic or adjunctive measure to control dysmenorrhea and other menstrual disorders.