Effect of Six Weeks Flexibility Training on Dysmenorrhea

Exercise is commonly reported as a factor for decreasing dysmenorrhea symptoms. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of six weeks flexibility training on symptoms of dysmenorrhea. Thirty-four students of The University of Isfahan suffering from primary dysmenorrhea (Age: 20. 47 ± 1. 54 years، Weight: 54 ± 8. 22 Kg، Height: 161 ± 5. 34 cm، Body Mass Index: 20. 72 ± 2. 76) were divided in two exercise (n = 20) and control (n = 14) groups. Exercise group engaged in a 6 weeks flexibility training program include abdomen، back، hamstring and hip adductors stretches. They performed 10 movements، each 3 times، lasting 10 seconds، 4 days per week. One second was added to those movement times each week. Prior and after 6 weeks of flexibility training، all subjects completed menstrual distress questionnaire. Severity of pain evaluate with Visual Analogue Scale. The descriptive and inferential statistic tests like Man-Withney U، Wilcoxon، and independent and paired sample t-test were used for analyzing the statistical information. After 6 weeks flexibility training، experimental group indicated significant increase in flexibility measurements (back، hamstring، hip adductors) and significant decreases in their mood symptoms (from 14. 20 ± 7. 42 to 5. 35 ± 3. 00)، physical symptoms (from 15. 90 ± 5. 93 to 8. 75 ± 6. 09) and severity of pain (from 6. 37 ± 2. 69 to 3. 79 ± 2. 39) (P < 0. 001). There were no significant changes in flexibility measurements and dysmenorrhea symptoms in control group. Our findings indicated that selected flexibility training in 6 weeks would decrease dysmenorrhea symptoms.