The aim of this study will be to investigate the effect of aerobic exercise on diurnal cortisol pattern in premenstrual syndrome.
Premenstrual syndrome is manifested by recurrent emotional and depressive symptoms that may be associated with maladaptive coping with stress situations and the enhanced release of stress hormones, like cortisol hormone. Although previous studies revealed a flattened diurnal cortisol slope in women with PMS compared to healthy controls, there is no previous work on the effect of aerobic exercise on diurnal cortisol pattern in premenstrual syndrome. Therefore, this study will aim to investigate the effect of aerobic exercise participation on diurnal cortisol pattern in premenstrual syndrome.This trial will include two groups; group (A) will consist of 14 females who will receive relaxation training for 8 weeks, while group (B) will consist of 14 females who will receive the same relaxation training along with aerobic exercise for 8 weeks.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
28
Relaxation training in the form of deep breathing exercises
An aerobic exercise program of a moderate intensity, based on the target heart rate (THR) that will be calculated in accordance with Karvonen's equation, using resting heart rate (HRrest), maximal heart rate (HRmax) and training fraction. THR = HRrest (bpm) + (HRmax (bpm) - HRrest (bpm)) × training fraction.The exercise session will have three phases, warming up, active phase and cooling down.
Faculty of Physical therapy, Cairo University
Giza, Egypt
Diurnal cortisol pattern
It will be evaluated through calculating the ratio of morning cortisol level to evening cortisol level for all participants at baseline and after 8 weeks of treatment.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Severity of premenstrual symptoms
Severity of premenstrual symptoms of all participants will be measured through daily record of severity of problems (DRSP) at baseline and after 8 weeks of treatment.
Time frame: 8 weeks
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