Year: 2026 | Month: February | Volume: 16 | Issue: 2 | Pages: 127-135
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20260216
Correlation of Level of Physical Activity and Anxiety-Depression in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome in Young Females: A Cross-sectional Study
Shruti Mankar1, Bhagyashree Salekar2, Shreya Sardeshmukh3, Sanika Sonawane4
1Assistant Professor, Department of Cardiovascular & Respiratory Physiotherapy, PES Modern College of Physiotherapy, Shivajinagar, Pune, India
2Assistant Professor, Department of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy, MAEER’s Physiotherapy College, Talegaon Dabhade, Pune, India
3Assistant Professor, Department of Neurophysiotherapy, PES Modern College of Physiotherapy, Shivajinagar, Pune, India,
4Physiotherapist, Dr. DY.Patil College of Physiotherapy, Pune, India
Corresponding Author: Dr. Shruti Mankar
ABSTRACT
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a multifactorial endocrine disorder commonly affecting young females, often associated with obesity, anxiety, depression, and reduced physical activity. Lifestyle modification and exercise play a crucial role in the management of PCOS; however, the relationship between physical activity levels and psychological symptoms remains underexplored. To assess the correlation between levels of physical activity and symptoms of anxiety and depression in young females diagnosed with PCOS.
A cross-sectional study was conducted among young females diagnosed with PCOS. Physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), while anxiety and depression were evaluated using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), respectively. Descriptive and correlational analyses were performed to determine associations between physical activity and psychological variables. Analysis revealed that 95% of participants were involved in low physical activity, while only 5% reported moderate activity levels. The mean anxiety score was 21.69 ± 7.37, and the mean depression score was 18.25 ± 6.13, indicating a higher prevalence of anxiety compared to depression among young females with PCOS. A significant positive correlation (r = 0.49) was found between anxiety and depression symptoms. Furthermore, anxiety showed a moderate negative correlation with physical activity (r = 0.5), while depression exhibited a strong negative correlation with physical activity levels, suggesting that lower physical activity is associated with higher anxiety and depression scores. The findings indicate that young females with PCOS exhibit predominantly low physical activity levels, which are significantly associated with higher symptoms of anxiety and depression. Promoting regular physical activity may serve as a potential non-pharmacological strategy to improve both physical and psychological well-being in this population.
Key words: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Physical Activity, Anxiety, Depression, IPAQ, HAM-A, HAM-D