# Effects of high-intensity interval training in combination with detraining on mental health in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A randomized controlled trial

PMID: 36246128
Journal: Frontiers in Physiology
Published: 2022 Sep 29
Authors: Santos IK, Pichini GS, Daniel D Ferreira C, Dantas PB, Browne RAV, de Queiros V, Soares GM, Gonçalves AK, Cabral BG, Maranhão TMO, Dantas PMS

## Question

What are the effects of 12 weeks of HIIT and 30 days of detraining on health-related quality of life, anxiety, depression, and stress in women with PCOS?

## Summary

In women with polycystic ovary syndrome, 12 weeks of supervised track-based HIIT improved several quality-of-life and mental-health scores compared with advice-only control. After 30 days without training, quality-of-life benefits partly declined while anxiety and depression benefits were maintained in the HIIT group.

## Population

- 23 sedentary women with PCOS completed analysis.
- Sample size: 23
- Age: About 26 years
- Sex: Female
- Fitness level: Sedentary
- Health status: Polycystic ovary syndrome

## Methodology

- Pilot randomized controlled trial with detraining follow-up
- 12 weeks training plus 30 days detraining
- Outdoor 400 m track in Brazil
- Randomized and controlled study design.

## Protocol

- Track HIIT for PCOS.
- Modality: Track running/walking.
- Work intervals: 1 min.
- Recovery: 3 min active recovery for 10 weeks; 1 min in final 2 weeks.
- Sets or repetitions: 10 intervals.
- Intensity: 95% HRmax work intervals; recovery around 70% HRmax.
- Session duration: About 50 min during main phase.
- Frequency: 3 sessions/week.
- Program length: 12 weeks.
- Progression: Shifted from 1:3 to 1:1 work-recovery in final 2 weeks.
- Control advice.
- Modality: Lifestyle advice.
- Intensity: Encouraged moderate training over 150 min/week.
- Program length: 12 weeks.

## Outcomes

### Quality of life
Status: improved
Physical functioning, physical role, and general health improved with HIIT.

Interactions: physical functioning p=0.021 ES 1.7; physical role p=0.027 ES 1.7; general health p=0.021 ES 3.1.

### Anxiety
Status: improved
Anxiety improved after HIIT and remained improved after detraining.

Interaction p=0.025 ES 1.0; HIIT anxiety 6.4 +/- 1.6 to 3.7 +/- 0.7 to 3.5 +/- 0.6.

### Depression
Status: improved
Depression improved after HIIT and remained improved after detraining.

Interaction p=0.031 ES 1.7; HIIT depression 6.7 +/- 1.6 to 3.8 +/- 0.9 to 3.8 +/- 0.7.

### Stress
Status: no clear change
Stress did not show a significant intervention effect.

No significant interaction reported for stress.

## Practical Insights

- HR-guided 1-minute intervals may improve mental-health outcomes in screened women with PCOS.
- Detraining data suggest continuity matters for maintaining quality-of-life gains.
- Control engagement/adherence should be tracked when advice is used as comparator.

## Limitations

- Small pilot sample.
- PCOS phenotypes varied.
- Dietary control was lacking.
- Psychiatric comorbidities were not reported.
- HRmax was estimated rather than directly measured.

## Safety And Adherence

- No adverse events were reported in the HIIT group.
- Participants were screened and sessions were supervised.

## Original Sources

- [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36246128/) (pubmed)
- [DOI](https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2022.948414) (doi)
- [PMC full text](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9556821/) (full text)

## Agent Guidance

Preserve the paper-level scope of this note. Do not generalize beyond the population, protocol, measured outcomes, and limitations above.