The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility

The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility

The effect of Pilates training on the severity and duration of dysmenorrheal pain and duration of bleeding in young girls

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Mohamad Reza Ramezanpour 1
Malihe Kargozar 2
1 Associate Professor, Department of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, Mashhad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran.
2 M.Sc. of Sport Physiology, School of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, Mashhad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran.
10.22038/ijogi.2018.11627
Abstract
Introduction: Dysmenorrhea, as one of the most common gynecologic problems in women, is characterized by pain in the lower abdomen, which disrupts normal life. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Pilates training on the severity and duration of dysmenorrheal pain and duration of bleeding in young girls.
Methods: Thirty young girls with the mean age of 22.21 ± 1.71 years, body mass index (BMI) of 23.89 ± 1.41 kg/m2 and fatigue score of 29.22 ± 3.71 were selected and randomly divided into two groups of Pilates training (n = 15) and control group (n = 15). At 24 hours before and 48 hours after the last exercise session, weight, BMI, fat percentage, severity and duration of dysmenorrheal pain and duration of bleeding were evaluated using McGill Pain Questionnaire and pain numerical rating scale. The experimental group performed the Pilates training protocol for eight weeks (three sessions per week). To analyze the data, independent t-test and Levene’s test were run in SPSS, version 16. The significance level was set at P-value less than 0.05.
Results: Weight, body fat percentage and BMI were not significantly different before and after eight weeks of Pilates training (P=0.06). In addition, there was no significant difference in the control group in this regard during this period (P=0.20). After eight weeks of Pilates training, a significant decrease in pain intensity scale was noted. After eight weeks of Pilates training, there was a significant difference in the intensity of pain (P=0.001) and duration of dysmenorrhea (P=0.019) between the training and control groups, but the duration of bleeding did not show a significant difference (P=0.893).
Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that eight weeks of Pilates training could be useful in reducing pain intensity and duration of dysmenorrheal pain, while not affecting the duration of bleeding.
Keywords
Pilates exercise
Dysmenorrhea
Girls
  1. Ebrahimi Varzaneh F, Nahidi F, Mojab F, Pourhoseingholi MA, Panahi Z. The effect of hydro alcoholic extract of AchilleaMillefolium capsule on duration and severity of primary dysmenorrhea pain. Iran J Obstet Gynecol Infertil 2017; 20(3):48-86. (Persian).
  2. Blakey H, Chisholm C, Dear F, Harris B, Hartwell R, Daley AJ, et al. Is exercise associated with primary dysmenorrhoea in young women? BJOG 2010; 117(2):222-4.
  3. Amelia M. The effect of Pilates exercise to hamper primary dysmenorreha in 18-21 years old adolsents. International Conference on Health and Well-Being, Muhammadiyah University of Surakarta, Indonesia; 2016.
  4. Norbakhsh M, Alijani A, Kohandel M. The effect of eight weeks of selected exercise on some of the symptoms of early dysmenorrhea of female students. Physiol Exer 2014; 18(9):83-96. (Persian).
  5. da Fonseca JM, Radmann CS, de Carvalho FT, de Andrade Mesquita LS. The influence of the Pilates method on muscular flexibility, symptoms, and quality of life in women with primary dysmenorrhea. Sci Med 2016; 26(2):6.
  6. Salehi F, Marefati H, Arabpour S, Modares Nejad V. Comparison of premenstrual syndrome status and primary dysmenorrheal in active and non-active students. Iran J Obstet Gynecol Infertil 2012; 15(10):21-9. (Persian).
  7. Sadghi H, Hoseinisisi Z. Pilates anatomy. Tehran: Karen Kilinger; 2015. (Persian).
  8. Jenabi E, Ebrahimzadeh S. Chamomile tea for relief of primary dysmenorrhea. Iran J Obstet Gynecol Infertil 2010; 13(1):39-42. (Persian).
  9. Reyhani T, Jafarnejad F, Behnam H, Ajam M, Baghaei M. The effect of brisk walking on primary dysmenorrhea in girl students. Iran J Obstet Gynecol Infertil 2013; 16(46):14-9. (Persian).
  10. Samadi N, Amani F, Naghizadeh M, Alahiari I, Ghezelbash S, Kazemzadeh R. Effect of using combination of fennel, chamomile and ginger on relieving symptoms of primary dysmenorrheal among students in Ardabil University of Medical Sciences in 2012. J Ilam Univ Med Sci 2015; 22(6):159-64. (Persian).
  11. Shavandi N, Taghian F, Soltani V. The effect of isometric exercise on primary dismenorrhea. J Arak Univ Med Sci 2010; 13(1):71-7. (Persian).
  12. Shahrjerdi S, Hosaini S. The effect of 8 weeks stretching exercise on primary dysmenorrhea in 15-17 aged high school student girls in Arak. J Shahrekord Univ Med Sci 2010; 11(4):84-91. (Persian).
  13. Abbaspour Z, Rostami M, Najjar SH. The effect of exercise on primary dysmenorrhea. J Res Health Sci 2006; 6(1):26-31.
  14. Nasri M, Barati AH, Ramezani A. The effects of aerobic training and pelvic floor muscle exercise on primary dysmenorrhea in adolescent girls. J Clin Nurs Midwifery 2016; 5(3):53-61. (Persian).
  15. Molazem Z, Alhani F, Anoshe M, Vagharseydin A. Epidemiology of primary dysmenorrhea with dietary habits and exercise. Zahedan J Res Med Sci 2011; 13(3):41-5. (Persian).
  16. Ozgoli G, Goli M, Moattar F. Comparison of effects of ginger, mefenamic acid, and ibuprofen on pain in women with primary dysmenorrhea. J Alternat Complement Med 2009; 15(2):129-32. (Persian). 
The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility
Volume 21, Issue 6
August 2018
Pages 1-8