--- title: Does dancing or running reduce premenstrual symptoms? | Niyora description: Dancing (Argentine tango) modestly reduced the duration of premenstrual symptoms, but running did not show the same benefit. Neither activity eliminated sympt url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-influence-of-running-and-dancing-on-the-occurrence-and-progression-of-2021/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does dancing or running reduce premenstrual symptoms? Survey study, 2021 # Does dancing or running reduce premenstrual symptoms? Dancing (Argentine tango) modestly reduced the duration of premenstrual symptoms, but running did not show the same benefit. Neither activity eliminated symptoms completely. Early or limited evidence 414 women aged 22-48 not using hormonal contraception: 215 runners, 94 tango dancers, 104 controls ## What they did Cross-sectional survey of 414 women aged 22-48 who were not using hormonal contraception. Researchers created three groups: 215 regular runners, 94 Argentine tango dancers, and 104 women with no regular physical activity (controls). Women reported how many days they had premenstrual symptoms before their period started and after bleeding began. ## What they found Tango dancers had an average of 5.94 days of premenstrual symptoms total, compared to 7.25 days for runners and 7.01 days for controls (p = 0.011). Before bleeding started, dancers had 4.14 days of symptoms versus 4.86 for runners and 4.85 for controls (p = 0.024). Age, when menstruation began, and body mass index were associated with symptom duration. ## What it means for you Dancing may help reduce premenstrual symptoms more than running, though the difference is modest. The study is observational only, so we cannot prove dancing causes the reduction. Women who started menstruating earlier and those with higher weight had longer symptom duration. 414 Women studied 5.94 Days of symptoms in tango dancers 7.01 Days of symptoms in control group ## About the study Original title The Influence of Running and Dancing on the Occurrence and Progression of Premenstrual Disorders Authors Witkoś J, Hartman-Petrycka M Journal International journal of environmental research and public health Year 2021 Study design Survey study Participants 215 What was tested Regular running or Argentine tango dancing Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18157946](https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18157946) Original abstract Background : The aim of the study was to assess the influence of both physical activity, such as running and dancing, and the personal characteristics of the studied women on the occurrence and progression of premenstrual disorder (PMD). Methods : We surveyed 414 women aged 22-48 who were experiencing the menstrual cycle but not using hormonal contraception. There were two physically active groups, runners ( N = 215) and Argentine tango dancers ( N = 94), and there was one group not undertaking any physical activity-the control group ( N = 104). The research was conducted using the researchers' own questionnaire. Results : The number of days of PMD symptoms in the tango vs. runner vs. control groups are as follows: pre-bleeding (mean: 4.14 vs. 4.86 vs. 4.85; p = 0.024), after the onset of bleeding (mean: 1.76 vs. 2.39 vs. 2.16; p = 0.001), and in total (mean: 5.94 vs. 7.25 vs. 7.01; p p = 0.011), the total duration of symptoms and menarche (B: -0.17; 95% CIs: from -0.32 to -0.01; p = 0.036), lower abdominal pain and age (B: -0.05; 95% CIs: 0.92-0.98; p = 0.002), diarrhoea (B: -0.08; 95% CIs: 0.88-0.97; p p p = 0.004), joint pain and age (B: -0.09; 95% CIs: 0.86-0.96; p = 0.001), pain in the lumbar spine (B: -0.06, 95% CIs: 0.91-0.98; p = 0.001), water retention and BMI (B: 0.09; 95% CIs: 0.92-0.98; p = 0.007), and water retention and menarche (B: -0.19; 95% CIs: 0.73-0.94; p = 0.003). Information : generally there is one regression model, we have several here, we have a bit the description. Conclusions : Physical activity such as dancing (tango) shortens the duration of PMD symptoms but does not completely eliminate them. Running does not have as beneficial an effect on symptom relief as dancing. Current age, age when menstruation began (menarche), and BMI were revealed to be important factors influencing the symptoms of premenstrual disorders. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Bloating, breast tenderness and physical symptoms](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-physical-symptoms/)[Pain and headache](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-pain/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[Exercise and yoga](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-exercise/)[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 Survey study, 2001 What behaviors and factors are linked to breast pain during the menstrual cycle? Randomised trial, 2026 Is Pilates exercise more effective than stretching for reducing PMS symptoms? Survey study, 2024 Does knowing about Ayurvedic yoga make teenage girls more interested in practicing it for PMS? Cohort study, 2006 How should severe period pain in teenagers be treated? Randomised trial, 2024 Does estetrol/drospirenone birth control improve PMS symptoms? Randomised trial, 2023 Does zinc supplementation reduce PMS symptoms in women? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗