Short-term Aerobic Exercise did Not Change Telomere Length while it Reduces Testosterone Levels and Obesity Indexes in PCOS: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial Study.

Background: Physical activity is an effective non-pharmacological treatment for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and the reproductive outcomes which may have implications on telomere biology. Objective: To observe the effects of continuous (CAT) and intermittent (IAT) aerobic training on telomere length, inflammatory biomarkers, and its correlation with metabolic, hormonal, and anthropometric parameters of PCOS. Design and Methods: This randomized controlled clinical trial study included 87 PCOS women randomly stratified according to body mass index (BMI) in the continuous (CAT, n = 28) and intermittent aerobic training (IAT, n = 29) and non-training control group (CG, n = 30). The exercises were carried out on a treadmill, three times per week for 16 weeks. The participants’ anthropometric characteristics and biochemical and hormonal concentrations were measured before and after aerobic training or observation period, as the telomere length that was evaluated using quantitative real-time PCR. Results: Four months of aerobic exercises (CAT or IAT) did not alter telomere length and inflammatory biomarkers in PCOS women. Obesity index as BMI and waist circumference (WC), and inflammatory biomarkers negatively affect telomeres. The hyperandrogenism measured by testosterone levels was reduced after both exercises (CAT, p≤0.001; IAT, p=0.019). In particular, the CAT reduced WC (p=0.045), hip circumference (p= .032), serum cholesterol (p≤0.001), low-density lipoprotein (p=0.030). Whereas, the IAT decreased WC (p=0.014), waist-to-hip ratio (p=0.012), free androgen index (FAI) (p=0.037). WC (p=0.049) and body fat (p=0.015) increased in the non-training group while total cholesterol was reduced (p=0.010). Conclusions: Booth exercises reduced obesity indices and hyperandrogenism on PCOS women without changes in telomere length or inflammatory biomarkers. Clinical trial registration: Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry (ReBec; RBR-78qtwy, August 20, 2015), and the International Controlled Randomized Trial Registry (ISRCTN10416750, July 24, 2018), retrospectively registered.