Comparison between effects of resistance and endurance exercise training on somatic and affective symptoms of premenstrual syndrome

Given the high prevalence and negative economic, social and educational consequences of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), it is essential to find an easy and inexpensive way to treat or reduce the symptoms of it. Several studies have shown that exercise can be effective in the treatment of PMS. Because so far no study has compared the effects of resistance and endurance exercise training on somatic and affective symptoms of PMS, the main objective of this study was to compare the effects of eight weeks resistance or endurance exercise training on PMS. A clinical trial (before and after) was performed on 30 patients with this syndrome were randomly divided into three groups: resistance, endurance exercise and control. Somatic and affective symptoms of PMS were evaluated before and after protocols by PMS questionnaire. Duration of the protocol was eight weeks. Descriptive statistics and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) followed by the LSD post hoc test (p≤0.05) were used for data analyses. Before starting the protocol, age, height, social and affective symptoms were not different between participants. Compared with the control group, eight weeks of resistance training or endurance training, could significantly reduce social and affective symptoms of PMS. Exercise training could improve PMS symptoms and there were no significant difference between resistance and endurance training.