The effect of a set of submaximal aerobic exercise and ginger on pain duration in the college girls with primary dysmenorrhea

Background and aims: Due to the anti-inflammatory properties of the ginger plant, it has attracted researchers’ attentions for treating menstrual problems. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a program which contains submaximal aerobic exercises and ginger on pain duration in the college girls with primary dysmenorrhea. Methods: This quasi-experimental research was performed on ۴۰ female students with primary dysmenorrhea (moderate, severe) who lived in the dormitory of Shahid Rajaei University with average height, weight, age and body mass index of ۱۶۴.۴۷ ± ۴.۶۶ cm, ۵۶.۹۵ ± ۶.۸۱ kg, ۲۱.۴۰ ± ۱.۴۲ years and ۲۱.۰۷±۲.۴۱ kg/m², respectively. The samples were randomly divided into ۴ groups (n=۱۰) including exercise, ginger, combined of both exercise and ginger, and control groups. The exercise group performed an eight-week submaximal aerobic exercise. The ginger group used capsules which contain ۲۵۰ mg ginger, ۴ times a day from the third day of bleeding, and both variables were applied for the combined group. The influence of ginger and exercise were evaluated on the duration of dysmenorrheal pain and the data analysis was performed by using one-way ANOVA and Tukey tests. Results: After ۸ weeks of ginger usage and sub maximal aerobic exercise, the duration of pain declined in the combined (P=۰.۰۰۱) and practice groups (P=۰.۰۴) compared to the control group. Conclusion: Submaximal aerobic exercise along with ginger use is effective in reducing the pain of primary dysmenorrhea.