COMPARISON OF PREVALENCE OF PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME IN SWIMMER AND NON-SWIMMER STUDENTS: A HISTORICAL COHORT STUDY

Abstract

A number of studies have examined the role of aerobic exercise and evidence suggests this may be an effective therapy for premenstrual syndrome (PMS). The aim of this study was to assess the PMS symptoms between swimmer and non-swimmer female students. Two hundred eighty subjects were studied. One hundred forty subjects were swimmers, while 140 were normal sedentary controls. Duration of swimming per week, and the length of exercise were asked from the case group. The predominant symptom of PMS was determined. PMS occurred in 36.2% and 22.8% of non-swimmers and swimmers, respectively (P = 0.00). The prevalence of premenstrual symptoms differ in the two group studied. There was no complaint about items asked in 35 (25%) and 13 (9.9%) of swimmers and non-swimmers, respectively (P = 0.000). In 11 (7.9%) swimmers, there was a problem in more than 50% of items asked, whereas 48 (17.1 %) non-swimmers had complaints in this range (P = 0.00). The prevalence of feeling more irritable, tend to eat more than usual or at irregular hours, easily distracted, restless behavior noticeable by others, feeling more angry, physical symptoms, change in mood without obvious reason, significant swelling in breasts, ankles, and abdomen, marked change in sexual desire, avoiding some social commitments, and decreasing desire to have communication with males were significantly lower in swimmers. Aerobic exercise has been found in epidemiologic studies to be associated with fewer reported premenstrual symptoms. Swimming is one of aerobic exercises which can be used in relation to this issue.