The Effect of Moderate Physical Activity on Ovarian Reserve Markers in Reproductive Age Women Below and Above 30 Years

BACKGROUND There is significant evidence among the general population regarding the impact of physical activity in improving the quality of life; however, evidence regarding the effect of physical activity in improving fertility and the quality of life in infertile women is inadequate. Existing medical literature shows that moderately regular physical activity positively influences ovarian reserve and assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcomes in overweight and obese women. It is not known whether moderate physical activity influences ovarian reserve in normal weight reproductive age women, and whether age has any influence on the physical activity related changes in ovarian reserve. OBJECTIVES The objectives of the study were (1) to study the impact of moderate physical activity on ovarian reserve markers in normal weight reproductive age women and (2) to understand whether age influences the effect of physical activity on ovarian reserve markers in reproductive age women. METHODS This observational, cross-sectional study included 162 married women in the age group of 19-42 years, who were evaluated for ovarian reserve markers antimullerian hormone (AMH), follicular stimulating hormone (FSH), and antral follicle count (AFC) on the days 3-6 of the menstrual cycle. The study participants were divided into two age groups (above and below 30 years) and physically active and inactive groups. Ovarian reserve markers were compared among both the age groups and the physically active and inactive participants by analysis of variance. RESULTS When the study participants in both the age groups were compared for the effect of moderate exercise on ovarian reserve profile, better ovarian reserve profile was observed in the physically active participants in both the age groups. Significant differences were not seen with respect to FSH level (P = 0.371) and AFC (P = 0.483) in both the age groups, but significant difference was observed with respect to AMH level in the below 30 years age group compared to the above 30 years age group (P ≤ 0.001). CONCLUSION This study demonstrated that moderate physical activity is associated with improved age-specific levels of ovarian reserve markers.