This study highlights the importance of exercise for young women with primary dysmenorrhea. Exercise can help relieve the symptoms of dysmenorrhea by increasing blood flow and promoting the release of endorphins. Additionally, exercise can improve the overall quality of life by reducing stress and anxiety. A comprehensive comparison of the effects of especially resistant exercises and stretching exercises on menstrual pain is based on limited findings in the literature. Therefore, this study aims to make a significant contribution to clinical practice by evaluating the effectiveness and feasibility of these exercise types.
Primary dysmenorrhea is a common condition that seriously affects women's quality of life, and alternative methods other than pharmacotherapy are often investigated. Exercise may play a potential role in reducing the symptoms of dysmenorrhea by increasing blood flow and promoting the release of endorphins. Additionally, exercise can improve the overall quality of life by reducing stress and anxiety. However, studies comparing the specific effects of resistance exercises and stretching exercises on dysmenorrhea are limited and do not provide clear guidance on this subject. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of these two types of exercise in young women with primary dysmenorrhea. The results of the research can guide healthcare professionals by providing information on which type of exercise may be more effective in clinical practice. The importance of exercise as a non-pharmacological treatment option is emphasized, and it is aimed at making a significant contribution to the wide acceptance and application of such treatments.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
54
The resisted exercise training program targeted trunk, upper, and lower body segments with 10-12 repetitions at 30-65% intensity, lasting 50-60 minutes per session, 3 times weekly for 8 weeks. Participants determined their maximal repetition through trial training. Maximal power was assessed using concentric 1-maximal repetition (MT). Following a 2-3 minute rest and a 5-minute warm-up (walking), participants performed the 1-MT test to establish their heaviest lift with the correct technique, adjusting resistance levels accordingly. The circuit-style training spanned 9 stations with 2-3 sets per station, each circuit lasting 2-3 minutes with 90-second rests between sets. A 5-minute warm-up and cool-down (walking) preceded and followed each session. Exercises included bilateral elbow flexion, chest press, bilateral shoulder abduction, bilateral knee extension, back extension, sit-ups, knee flexion, hip abduction, and hip adduction.
The participants were made to perform stretching exercises, selected by reviewing the literature, under supervision 3 days a week for 8 weeks, and they were asked not to do any other exercises during this intervention period. They were asked to do exercises such as trunk flexion, pelvic elevation, squatting, trunk lateral flexion, lumbar extensor stretching, lower abdominal stretching, hip adduct stretching, piriformis stretching, and trunk flexor stretching (cobra pose). The holding time was 5 seconds, the rest time was 1 second, and the exercises were applied in 10 repetitions.
Karabük University
Karabük, Turkey (Türkiye)
Visual Analog Scale
Lower abdomen, leg and low back pain were evaluated with the Visual Analog Scale
Time frame: At baseline, on the most painful 1 day of Cycle 1 (each cycle is 28 days), and on the most painful 1 day of Cycle 2 (each cycle is 28 days).
Menstrual symptoms questionnaire
menstrual symptoms were evaluated with the Menstrual Symptoms Questionnaire
Time frame: At baseline, on the most painful 1 day of Cycle 1 (each cycle is 28 days), and on the most painful 1 day of Cycle 2 (each cycle is 28 days).
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index
sleep quality was evaluated with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index
Time frame: At baseline, on the most painful 1 day of Cycle 1 (each cycle is 28 days), and on the most painful 1 day of Cycle 2 (each cycle is 28 days).
Health-Related Quality of Life Assessment (SF 36 Short Form)
Quality of life was evaluated with the Health-Related Quality of Life Assessment (SF 36 Short Form)
Time frame: At baseline, on the most painful 1 day of Cycle 1 (each cycle is 28 days), and on the most painful 1 day of Cycle 2 (each cycle is 28 days).
Functional and Emotional Dysmenorrhea Questionnaire
functional and emotional status was evaluated with the Functional and Emotional Dysmenorrhea Questionnaire
Time frame: At baseline, on the most painful 1 day of Cycle 1 (each cycle is 28 days), and on the most painful 1 day of Cycle 2 (each cycle is 28 days).
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