Endocrine Abstracts

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is associated with elevated cardiovascular risk, including increased arterial stiffness —independent predictor of hypertension and vascular dysfunction. Exercise acutely reduces arterial stiffness in healthy adults. However, acute vascular responses to exercise remain poorly characterised in women with PCOS. This study aimed to (a) assess whether resting arterial stiffness differs between women with PCOS and matched controls, and (b) evaluate whether acute exercise modulates arterial stiffness and haemodynamic responses differently in these cohorts. Data from the ‘HIIT vs MISS in PCOS’ study were analysed, involving women with confirmed PCOS (n = 9) and age- and BMI-matched controls (n = 15). Participants undertook high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity steady-state exercise (MISS) on cycle ergometer. Vascular ultrasound of the common carotid artery was performed pre- and post-exercise, with post-processing via validated blood flow analysis software. Continuous peripheral blood pressure was recorded, and arterial stiffness quantified using the beta stiffness index (β1), Peterson’s elastic modulus (Ep), and distensibility. Baseline carotid stiffness indices did not differ between PCOS (n = 9) and controls (n = 15). Mixed-model ANOVA showed greater improvements in distensibility (P = 0.014) and Ep (P = 0.00045), with a trend for β₁ (P = 0.056) following MISS vs HIIT. No group (P = 0.52) or interaction (P = 0.47) effects were observed. When HIIT and MISS were analysed separately no significant group differences were found—HIIT: ΔDistensibility (P = 0.39), Δβ₁ (P = 0.56), ΔEp (P = 0.36); MISS: ΔDistensibility (P = 0.74), Δβ₁ (P = 0.90), ΔEp (P = 0.083).In this exploratory study, PCOS did not affect changes in arterial stiffness indices after acute exercise, but MISS improved compliance more than HIIT. These findings suggest that PCOS does not impair vascular responses to acute exercise and may enhance long-term vascular function in this cohort.