Survey study, 2019
Does how much exercise a university student does affect whether she gets PMS?
No. Over 6 in 10 students had PMS, but their activity level and whether they exercised regularly made no measurable difference to their PMS.
What they did
Researchers surveyed 304 female midwifery and nursing students at a health sciences faculty in Central Anatolia, using questionnaires on student background, a PMS scale, and an international physical activity scale.
What they found
Average age was 19.6 years, average BMI 21.8, and average age at first period 13.2 years. 71.3% of students were inactive. PMS was found in 61.8% of students, with an average PMS scale score of 120.3. Activity level and regular exercise were not significantly linked to having PMS (p>0.05).
What it means for you
PMS was very common in this group of young women, but this study found no link between exercise habits and PMS. It only looked at one faculty at one point in time, so it can't show whether starting exercise would change symptoms.
61.8%
Had PMS
71.3%
Were physically inactive
19.6 yrs
Average age
About the study
- Original title
- Premenstrual Syndrome and Physical Activity Level in the University Students
- Authors
- Rükiye Höbek Akarsu, Eylem Yalman
- Journal
- Avrasya Spor Bilimleri ve Eğitim Dergisi
- Year
- 2019
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 304
- What was tested
- Physical activity level (not a tested treatment, just measured)
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.47778/ejsse.3
Topics
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