Effect of Moderate Aerobic Exercises on Functional Constipation in Premenopausal Women

doi:10.21608/ejhm.2025.449132

Effect of Moderate Aerobic Exercises on Functional Constipation in Premenopausal Women

Document Type : Original Article

10.21608/ejhm.2025.449132

Abstract

Background: Hormonal changes in premenopausal women weaken pelvic muscles, causing pelvic dysfunction and functional constipation, impacting health and well-being.
Objectives:To investigate the effect of moderate aerobic exercises on functional constipation in premenopausal women.
Subjects and Methods:Sixty premenopausal women clinically diagnosed with functional constipation, age 40-50 years and BMI was less than 30 kg/m², were selected from outpatient clinic of El-Mahalla El Kubra General Hospital, Gharbia, Egypt.There were two equal groups recruited by random assignment; the study group A, consisted of 30 participants who walked on an electronic treadmill for 30 minutes three times a week as part of a moderate aerobic exercises program. For 12 weeks, this group also received general bowel care advice, and the control group B, consisted of 30 participants who similarly received bowel care advice. Before and after the study, all participants in both groups were evaluated by the PAC-SYM questionnaire to assess the severity of constipation symptoms, and by the PAC-QOL questionnaire to measure their quality of life.
Results: There was a significant reduction in the mean values of the PAC-SYM and the PAC-QoL in both groups post treatment, favoring group (A) (P = 0.001).
Conclusions: Premenopausal women experiencing functional constipation can benefit from an intervention program that incorporates moderate aerobic activity, since it significantly alleviates symptoms and improves QOL.

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