چكيده لاتين
Background and Objective: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) may be a complex genetic disorder with strong epigenetic and environmental influences, including diet and lifestyle. Its treatment may involve a combination of lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet and regular exercise to prevent weight gain or promote weight loss if necessary. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of 8 weeks of combined exercise with low-carbohydrate diets on body composition, metabolic factors, and some inflammatory markers in women with PCOS.
Materials and Methods: This study was a semi-experimental, applied study with a pre-test-post-test design, including three intervention groups and one control group, conducted cross-sectionally. Sixty women with PCOS were voluntarily selected through convenience sampling, and then randomly assigned to four groups: combined exercise group (15 participants), exercise + low-carbohydrate diet group (14 participants), low-carbohydrate diet group (16 participants), and control group (15 participants). The combined exercise program consisted of aerobic + resistance training, 3 sessions per week, with 50-70% intensity for aerobic exercise and 40-80% intensity for resistance training, lasting for 8 weeks. The variables assessed included body composition (weight, body mass index, body fat percentage), peak oxygen consumption, metabolic indices (fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, insulin resistance), and levels of C-reactive protein and leptin, measured before and after the study. Data were analyzed using dependent t-tests and analysis of covariance at a significance level of p<0.05.
Results: After 8 weeks of combined exercise, significant reductions were observed in body composition variables (weight, body mass index, body fat percentage), metabolic indices (fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, insulin resistance), and C-reactive protein and leptin levels in the exercise + low-carbohydrate diet group compared to the exercise and control groups. Additionally, a significant increase in peak oxygen consumption was observed in the exercise intervention groups compared to the low-carbohydrate diet-only and control groups (p≤0.05).
Conclusion: Based on the results, 8 weeks of combined exercise + low-carbohydrate diet can be considered an effective preventive method for improving metabolic, body composition, and inflammatory indices in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
