---
title: Is physical fitness related to premenstrual symptoms? | Niyora
description: Higher cardiorespiratory fitness was strongly linked to lower PMS symptoms, while higher body weight was linked to higher symptoms. Fitness was the strongest
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/relationship-between-cardiorespiratory-fitness-habitual-physical-activity-body-2015/
---

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- Is physical fitness related to premenstrual symptoms?

Survey study, 2015

# Is physical fitness related to premenstrual symptoms?

Higher cardiorespiratory fitness was strongly linked to lower PMS symptoms, while higher body weight was linked to higher symptoms. Fitness was the strongest predictor of both physical and psychological PMS symptoms.

 Early or limited evidence

86 young women aged 18-25 years

## What they did

Cross-sectional study of 86 young women aged 18-25. They measured fitness using a treadmill test, recorded physical activity levels, measured weight and height, and asked about PMS symptoms using questionnaires.

## What they found

Cardiorespiratory fitness was significantly negatively correlated with physical and psychological PMS symptoms. Higher exercise activity was linked to lower PMS. Higher body mass index (BMI) was linked to higher PMS. Cardiorespiratory fitness was the strongest predictor overall.

## What it means for you

Physical fitness appears to be protective against PMS. However, we do not know if getting fitter will reduce PMS or if women with less PMS are simply more likely to be fit. This is a small study of young college women, so findings may not apply to all women.

86

participants

18-25

age range (years)

P<0.05

statistically significant correlation

## About the study

Original title Relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness, habitual physical activity, body mass index and premenstrual symptoms in collegiate students Authors Haghighi ES, Jahromi MK, Daryano Osh F Journal The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness Year 2015 Study design Survey study Participants 86 What was tested None. This was an observational study. Read the paper [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26205766/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26205766/)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Exercise and yoga](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-exercise/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/)[Students and academic performance](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-education/)[Adolescents and young people](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-adolescents/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

## Related studies

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Does recreational physical exercise reduce premenstrual symptoms in teenage girls?

Survey study, 2021

Does physical activity or age at first period affect how much PMS a teenage girl experiences?

Survey study, 2025

What factors affect premenstrual syndrome in teenage girls?

Survey study, 2025

How common is PMS in high school girls, and which non-drug methods help reduce anxiety and stress?

Non-randomised trial, 2022

Is nutrition status linked to PMS, and does health education help?

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