Hyperandrogenaemia, polycystic ovary syndrome, and physical fitness in women—a Northern Finland birth cohort study
Authors' conclusion
Hyperandrogenaemia in premenopausal women was associated with poorer CRF but better grip strength, independently of PCOS, which suggests that HA, rather than PCOS, has an independent and complex association with physical fitness in premenopausal women.
Study context
- Population
- Women from the general population, Northern Finland birth cohort, followed from 31 to 46 years of age
- Participants
- 5,889 women
- Exposure
- Testosterone and free androgen index (FAI) quartiles and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) vs no PCOS
- Outcome
- Cardiorespiratory fitness (heart rate after a submaximal exercise test) and grip strength
- Follow-up
- 31 to 46 years of age
Methodological detailslongitudinal, multivariable linear mixed models
- Longitudinal
- Multivariable linear mixed models
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Heart rate after submaximal exercise test (higher = poorer CRF)
- Q3 vs Q1 · adjusted for time, BMI, HOMA-IR, physical activity and smoking
- β of T 1.58 (95% CI 0.21–2.96)
- Q3 vs Q1
- β of FAI 1.97 (95% CI 0.54–3.39)
- Q4 vs Q1
- β of T 1.88 (95% CI 0.46–3.30)
- Q4 vs Q1
- β of FAI 2.70 (95% CI 1.15–4.25)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | β (95% CI) |
|---|---|
| Grip strength by FAI quartileQ2 vs Q1 · higher grip strength | 0.59 (0.04–1.14) |
| Grip strength by FAI quartileQ3 vs Q1 · higher grip strength | 0.74 (0.16–1.30) |
| Grip strength by FAI quartileQ4 vs Q1 · higher grip strength | 0.68 (0.06–1.27) |
PCOS and fitness
- Excluding women with PCOS did not alter results; PCOS itself not associated with cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) or grip strength
Parts of this Brief are withheld: the automatic checks could not confirm them against the abstract.
Original publication
Hyperandrogenaemia, polycystic ovary syndrome, and physical fitness in women—a Northern Finland birth cohort study. Eur J Endocrinol. Published 16 April 2025. doi:10.
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