DOC News November 1, 2005
Volume 2 Number 11 p. 7
© 2005 American Diabetes Association
Exercise Improves Insulin Sensitivity in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Bruce Goldfarb
Moderate exercise—even without leading to weight loss—improves
insulin sensitivity in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), according
to research presented at the annual meeting of the Androgen Excess Society
held June 3 in San Diego.
Ann J. Brown, MD, and colleagues at Duke University examined the influence
of exercise on carbohydrate metabolism in women with PCOS who had not yet
developed diabetes.
Nineteen sedentary women with PCOS, all of whom were 22–41 years of
age and had insulin resistance, were assigned randomly to continue their
sedentary lifestyle or engage in a monitored program of exercise.
The exercise program was of moderate intensity, equivalent to walking
briskly for an hour 4 days per week. Participants were not allowed to change
their diet or lose weight during the study. After a "ramp up"
period to get some participants in sufficient condition to comply with the
exercise program, up to 6 weeks in some cases, the study period lasted for 12
weeks.
At the end of the study period, researchers noted a "small but
significant" improvement in insulin action, with insulin sensitivity
improved up to 25%.
More than 4 million American women are estimated to have PCOS, which is
characterized by a broad range of symptoms associated with hormonal imbalance,
including type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance, obesity, infertility, and
excessive body and facial hair.
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