---
title: Do college students know that exercise helps PMS and do they actually exercise?
description: Two-thirds of students knew that aerobic exercise can help PMS and 75% thought exercise was good. But only 34% actually exercised regularly, showing a big gap
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/study-on-assessment-of-knowledge-attitude-and-practice-of-aerobic-exercise-on-2026/
---

- [Niyora](https://niyora.com/)
- [Research](https://niyora.com/research/)
- [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/)
- Do college students know that exercise helps PMS and do they actually exercise?

Survey study, 2026

# Do college students know that exercise helps PMS and do they actually exercise?

Two-thirds of students knew that aerobic exercise can help PMS and 75% thought exercise was good. But only 34% actually exercised regularly, showing a big gap between knowing and doing.

 Early or limited evidence

189 college students in Bangalore

## What they did

In a cross-sectional survey, 189 college students in Bangalore completed an online questionnaire about their knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding aerobic exercise and PMS.

## What they found

66% of students had moderate knowledge about aerobic exercise and PMS, and 75% reported a positive attitude toward exercise. However, only 34% reported regular practice of aerobic exercise. Mood swings were the most commonly reported PMS symptom. Students' exercise habits were influenced more by their awareness and motivation than by how severe their PMS symptoms were.

## What it means for you

Knowing that exercise helps PMS is not enough to make people do it. Other factors like motivation matter more than how bad your symptoms are. This was only one city, so results may not apply everywhere.

66%

moderate knowledge about aerobic exercise

75%

positive attitude toward exercise

34%

regular aerobic exercise practice

## About the study

Original title Study on Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Aerobic Exercise on Pre-menstrual Syndrome Among College-Going Students Authors N. S. Jagrruthi, Rajlakshmi Deb Journal Journal of Ecophysiology and Occupational Health Year 2026 Study design Survey study Participants 189 What was tested None - survey of knowledge, attitudes, and current practices Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.18311/jeoh/2026/53225](https://doi.org/10.18311/jeoh/2026/53225) Original abstract

Background: Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS) is characterised by recurring physical and psychological symptoms such as cramps, headaches, mood swings, anxiety, and poor concentration that occur 5 to 14 days before menstruation and typically resolve at menstruation onset. These symptoms can disrupt students’ daily activities and academic performance. Regular aerobic exercise has been shown to reduce the severity of both physical and emotional PMS symptoms by promoting overall well-being¹ . Objective: This study aimed to assess college students’ Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) concerning aerobic exercise in relation to PMS management. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a validated questionnaire was distributed online to 189 college students in Bangalore to assess their KAP regarding aerobic exercise and PMS. Responses were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Two-thirds of students (66%) had moderate knowledge about aerobic exercise and PMS, and 75% reported a positive attitude towards exercise. However, only 34% of students reported regular practice of aerobic exercise, indicating a significant gap between awareness and actual behaviour. Mood swings were the most commonly reported PMS symptom among participants. Conclusion: The findings of the study emphasise the need to encourage regular physical activity among students to better manage PMS symptoms and enhance menstrual health and overall well-being. Major Findings: Premenstrual syndrome was common among college students and frequently affected daily activities. Although knowledge and attitude toward aerobic exercise were generally positive, regular exercise practice was limited. Preference for exercising was influenced more by awareness and motivation than by the severity of PMS symptoms.

Reproduced under CC-BY.

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Mood swings and emotion regulation](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-emotional-regulation/)[Pain and headache](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-pain/)[Exercise and yoga](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-exercise/)[Quality of life and daily functioning](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-quality-of-life/)[Students and academic performance](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-education/)[Stigma, attitudes and culture](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-stigma-culture/)

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

Systematic review, 2025

Does teaching adolescent girls about their menstrual cycle and health help reduce period pain and PMS?

Lab study, 2026

Do core stability exercises help women with PMDD?

Survey study, 2026

Can a yoga program designed for different cycle phases reduce PMS symptoms?

Survey study, 2025

How common are period pain and PMS in Spanish university students, and do lifestyle choices affect them?

Survey study, 2025

How common is PMS among female medical students, and how severe are the symptoms?

Survey study, 2020

Can teaching about yoga techniques improve girls' knowledge about managing PMS?

Ask AI about this page

Copy prompt

ChatGPT

↗

Claude

↗

Perplexity

↗

Google AI Mode

↗

Grok

↗
