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MIRAGAYA, A.M.F. (2001) Relationship between the practice of physical
activity and premenstrual syndrome in non-athlete women between 18
and 50 years of age. (Master’s Degree Dissertation in Physical Education).
Rio de Janeiro: PPGEF/UGF.
Supervisor: Prof. Paulo Sérgio Chagas Gomes, Ph.D.
ABSTRACT
The purposes of this study were: (1) to determine the incidence of PMS in a
sample of 223 women of the female population of Universidade Gama Filho
(UGF) and in a sample of 97 women who regularly practice physical activity at
gyms located in the northern, southern and western parts of the city of Rio de
Janeiro, (2) to compare the incidence of PMS in these two groups, (3) to
characterize the relationship between PMS symptoms and the regular practice
of physical activity, and (4) to verify whether these symptoms have some kind of
interference in the professional and personal lives of these women. An
instrument to collect data was then constructed based on the specialized
literature and validated by national and international referees. The results
showed that both samples were homogeneous in relation to age groups.
However, the sample from the gyms had a higher social-economic level
(p=0,001). The incidence of PMS symptoms in both groups was 88,0%. The
regular practice of physical activity contributed (1) for the diminishing of the
intensity of headaches in both samples of exercisers (p=0,025) and (2) for the
decrease of palpitations and moodiness in both samples (p=0,022 and p=0,038,
respectively). Decrease in other symptoms was not statistically significant. It
was observed that 233 women (83,5%) of both groups complained of some kind
of interference of PMS symptoms in their professional and personal life.
Keywords: premenstrual syndrome (PMS), regular physical activity.
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