Psychophysiological responses of women with polycystic ovary syndrome during sessions of high-intensity interval training

Purpose. The study described psychophysiological responses (perceived exertion, affective response) of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) throughout 10 sessions of high-intensity interval training (HIIT). Methods. Overall, 12 physically inactive women with PCOS (age: 26.2 +/- 4.1 years; body mass index: 28.5 +/- 6.3 kg/m(2)) performed 10 running HIIT sessions of 50 min [10 x 1-min intervals, 90% of maximal heat rate (HRmax); 3-min active recovery periods, 70% HRmax], including 5-min warm-up and cool-down, with 48-hour intervals. HRmax, rating of perceived exertion (RPE, Borg CR10 scale), and affective responses (Feeling Scale) were assessed in the last 10 s of each interval and recovery period. Each session responses were grouped into session parts (beginning, 1-3; middle, 4-7; end, 8-10) for intervals and recovery periods separately. The generalized estimating equation model served to compare %HRmax, RPE, and affective valence between session parts. Results. The intensities of intervals (p < 0.001) and recovery (p < 0.001) increased from session beginning to end, as did RPE of intervals (p < 0.001) and recovery (p < 0.001). Interval affective responses were lower at end compared with beginning (p < 0.040). HIIT intensity (%HRmax) presented a small coefficient of variation (CV, ca. 3%); RPE exhibited medium CV (ca. 20%) between 10 HIIT sessions. Conclusions. Psychophysiological responses of physically inactive PCOS women to running HIIT demonstrate positive affective valence at the beginning of HIIT sessions. As the session progresses, affective valence decreases to neutral and RPE increases.