Randomised trial, 1993
Does aerobic exercise reduce premenstrual symptoms?
Yes. After three months, women who did aerobic exercise improved more on PMS symptoms than those who did non-aerobic exercise, especially for depression.
What they did
Twenty-three healthy women who were not yet menopausal had their premenstrual symptoms measured at baseline. They were then divided into groups doing either aerobic exercise or non-aerobic/strength training for three months, with symptoms reassessed after.
What they found
The aerobic exercise group significantly increased aerobic capacity and improved more on premenstrual symptoms, especially depression, compared to the non-aerobic group. Both groups showed general improvement in many PMS symptoms.
What it means for you
Aerobic exercise may help PMS symptoms more than other types of exercise, particularly depression, but this is a small preliminary study so more research is needed.
23
women studied
3
months of exercise
About the study
- Original title
- The effects of aerobic exercise on premenstrual symptoms in middle-aged women: a preliminary study
- Authors
- Steege JF, Blumenthal JA
- Journal
- Journal of psychosomatic research
- Year
- 1993
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 23
- What was tested
- 3 months of aerobic exercise vs non-aerobic/strength training
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/0022-3999(93)90079-u
Topics
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