Randomised trial, 2026
Is yoga or aerobic exercise better for reducing PMS symptoms in adolescent girls?
Both yoga and aerobic exercise significantly reduced PMS symptoms and pain intensity. Neither was superior to the other, so either could be recommended as an effective non-drug treatment.
What they did
A randomized trial with 38 adolescent girls aged 14-20 years with PMS. Nineteen did yoga and 19 did aerobic exercise for 45 minutes, three times per week for one menstrual cycle. Symptoms were measured using standardized scales before and after.
What they found
In the yoga group, PMS scores improved from 122.16±17.49 to 79.26±14.76 and pain reduced from 6.15±1.06 to 3.68±1.05. In the aerobic exercise group, PMS scores improved from 125.9±21.71 to 86.15±20.51 and pain reduced from 5.84±1.06 to 3.42±1.01. Both improvements were statistically significant with no difference between groups.
What it means for you
Either yoga or aerobic exercise appears to help reduce PMS symptoms and pain in teenage girls equally well. Girls can choose whichever appeals to them. However, the study was small and measured only one cycle, so longer-term effects are unknown.
19 per group
adolescent girls in each exercise type
45 minutes
duration per session
3 times per week
frequency of exercise
About the study
- Original title
- Yoga Versus Aerobic Exercise: An Experimental Study in Adolescent Girls with Premenstrual Syndrome
- Authors
- Seema Sunil Kumar Sharm, Ranveer Kumar Mahato, Megha Modi
- Journal
- International Journal of Research and Review
- Year
- 2026
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 19
- What was tested
- Yoga or aerobic exercise, 45 minutes per session, three times per week for one menstrual cycle
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20260585
Topics
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