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Is muscle mechanical function altered in polycystic ovary syndrome?

  • Gynecologic Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine
  • Published:
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder of women of reproductive age. The aim of the current study was to assess muscle mechanical function in PCOS and its relationship with hormonal and metabolic features of the syndrome.

Methods

The study included 44 women with PCOS, all having clinical or biochemical hyperandrogenism, chronic oligo-anovulation and PCOM, and 32 age- and BMI-matched healthy women. Anthropometric, hormonal and biochemical measurements were performed. Muscle mechanical function including lower limb explosive strength and average power (AvP) was measured using isokinetic dynamometry, a valid and reliable instrument for measuring muscle strength.

Results

The mean age and BMI of the women with PCOS and controls were 21.8 ± 3.2 versus 22.8 ± 3 years and 26.1 ± 5.4 versus 25.5 ± 5.7 kg/m2, respectively (p = NS for both). PCOS patients had higher androgen levels, whereas total and regional fat and lean body mass and insulin resistance parameters were similar between the groups. The peak muscle force output defined as the peak torque of knee extensor and flexor muscles was higher in normal weight women compared to overweight and obese (p < 0.05 for both) but did not differ in patients and controls. AvP determined by the time-averaged integrated area under the curve at 60°/s angular velocity was higher in the PCOS group for extension and flexion (50.3 ± 21.2 vs 42.1 ± 11.6 and 35.3 ± 27 vs 22.2 ± 11.1, respectively, p < 0.05 for both). These measurements were correlated with bioavailable testosterone (r = 0.29, p = 0.012, r = 0.36, p = 0.001, respectively).

Conclusion

Muscle mechanical function is altered in PCOS. Women with PCOS have increased average lower limb power that is associated with hyperandrogenism.

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Data availability

The datasets generated during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey

    Ezgi Caliskan Guzelce, Damla Eyupoglu & Bulent Okan Yildiz

  2. Department of Sports Medicine, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey

    Seyma Torgutalp & Haydar Demirel

  3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey

    Fatih Aktoz

  4. Department of Biochemistry, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey

    Oytun Portakal

  5. Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey

    Bulent Okan Yildiz

Authors
  1. Ezgi Caliskan Guzelce
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  2. Damla Eyupoglu
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  3. Seyma Torgutalp
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  4. Fatih Aktoz
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  7. Bulent Okan Yildiz
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Contributions

ECG: data collection and analysis, manuscript writing. DE: data collection and analysis. ST: data collection and analysis. FA: data collection. OP: data collection and analysis. HD: protocol development and manuscript writing. BOY: protocol development and manuscript writing. All authors reviewed the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Bulent Okan Yildiz.

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Caliskan Guzelce, E., Eyupoglu, D., Torgutalp, S. et al. Is muscle mechanical function altered in polycystic ovary syndrome?. Arch Gynecol Obstet 300, 771–776 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-019-05229-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-019-05229-2

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