Endocrine Abstracts

JOINT56

Background: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), an endocrine disorder affecting 9-18% of reproductive-aged females, can negatively impact health in many ways. Physical activity may be used to promote health in PCOS. This study investigated exercise habits and activity levels in an international sample of people with PCOS.

Methods: Participants were recruited from social media sites from January-February 2024. Eligibility criteria included being ≥ 18 years of age and having a prior diagnosis of PCOS. Survey questions included demographics, self-reported height and weight to calculate body mass index (BMI), and the short-form international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ). Descriptive analyses were performed. Categorical data were analyzed as count and frequency and numerical data as median and standard deviation.

Results: Most participants (n = 101) were between the age of 26-35 (56.4%, n = 57), from North America (69.3%, n = 70), were diagnosed with PCOS more than 10 years ago (39.6%, n = 40), and had a BMI in the obese range (66.3%, n = 63). The median BMI of participants was 33.12 kg/m². Approximately 52.5% (n = 53) of respondents reported no days of vigorous activity and 44.6% (n = 45) reported no moderate activity. Median time spent doing vigorous exercise (n = 48) per bout was 60.0±42.7 minutes, median metabolic equivalents of a task (MET-min/week) minutes of exercise per week of vigorous exercise was 960±1415.8 and average days of vigorous activity per week was 1.2±1.7. Median time spent doing moderate exercise (n = 56) per bout was 40.0±79.0 minutes, median MET-min/week of moderate exercise was 360±1415.8 and average days of moderate activity per week was 1.5±1.9. Most participants reported walking regularly with 22.4% (n = 22) walking 1-2 times/week and 66.3% (n = 65) walking 3 or more times/week. Median time spent walking (n = 87) per walking bout was 40.0±80.5 minutes, median MET-min/week of walking was 693±1389.3 and average days of walking per week was 4.1±2.6. Only 14 (13.9%) of the 101 respondents reported no activity each week. Based on total MET-min/week, 35.6% (n = 36) of participants were categorized as achieving low levels of activity each week (including those reporting no activity), 39.6% (n = 40) moderate levels, and 24.8% (n = 25) high levels. Median total MET-min/week was 996±2414.9.

Conclusions: People with PCOS may predominantly engage in low intensity exercise like walking and less in vigorous and moderate intensity exercise. Most participants did not participate in vigorous intensity exercise which may be most beneficial for PCOS management. Future research should further examine activity levels in people with PCOS and identify optimal exercise intensity for this population.