Barriers and facilitators to exercise participation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a qualitative study

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder known to affect women's participation in different aspects of life. The aetiology of PCOS is not well understood, although exercise and a 5% reduction in body weight and waist to hip ratio are said to improve its symptoms. Thus, exercise participation is seen as the first line of treatment in women with PCOS. Although there are proven benefits to exercise participation, women with PCOS are known to rarely actively participate in exercise behaviour; thus, understanding the barriers and facilitators to participation is important to this population.

To identify the barriers and facilitators to exercise participation in women with PCOS.

Qualitative study.

16 participants with PCOS were recruited. A qualitative indepth interview method was adopted to identify the barriers and facilitators to exercise participation in women with PCOS.

Most participants mentioned that no information on PCOS and no advice on physical activity were given to them on diagnosis of the condition. Thus, this lack of education on the role of physiotherapy or exercise in PCOS prevented them from participating in exercise for a substantial amount of time. Other identified barriers included lack of time, laziness, work pressure, climate changes and tiredness. Social support and health concerns were identified as facilitators to participating in exercise.

We identified that the main barrier to exercise participation in women with PCOS was lack of education, awareness and knowledge about the condition and the role of physiotherapy in PCOS. Meanwhile, social support and information or knowledge about exercises were identified as the biggest facilitators to exercise participation.