Comparison of Prevalence of Premenstrual Syndrome in Swimmer and Non-Swimmer Students: A Historical Cohort Study

A number of studies have examined the role of aerobic exercise and evidence suggests thismay be an effective therapy for premenstrual syndrome (pms). the aim of this study was to assess thepms symptoms between swimmer and non-swimmer female students. a total of 280 subjects werestudied: 140 subjects were swimmers, while 140 were normal sedentary controls. duration ofswimming per week, and the length of exercise were asked from the case group. the predominantsymptom of pms was determined. pms occurred in 36.2% and 22.8% of non-swimmers andswimmers, respectively (p = 0.00). the prevalence of premenstrual symptoms differ in the two groupstudied. there was no complaint about items asked in 35 (25%) and 13 (9.9%) of swimmers and nonswimmers,respectively (p = 0.000). in 11 (7.9%) swimmers, there was a problem in more than 50% ofitems asked, whereas 48 (17.1%) non-swimmers had complaints in this range (p = 0.00). theprevalence 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 withoutobvious 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 weresignificantly lower in swimmers. aerobic exercise has been found in epidemiologic studies to beassociated with fewer reported premenstrual symptoms. swimming is one of aerobic exercises whichcan be used in relation to this issue.