Introduction: Scientific evidence has shown that regular physical activity (PA) is beneficial to health. However, no consensus has been reached on the association between PA and success rates of assisted reproduction treatments. Objective: to determine whether various levels of physical activity have an influence on ovarian response to controlled stimulation in ‘in vitro fertilization’ (IVF) cycles, defined as number of retrieved and mature oocytes.

Methods: This prospective observational study included 617 infertile women undergoing IVF/ICSI cycles between January 2019 and October 2020. PA was assessed prior to cycle, using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and triaxial accelerometers. Patients were classified into three groups: low, moderate, high PA. 

Results: Globally, the number of retrieved oocytes was similar in all three groups according to IPAQ (9.23 ± 7.72; 8.35 ± 5.57; 8.82 ± 6.38). Something similar happened with the number of mature oocytes (6.97 ± 5.99; 6.84 ± 4.85; 7.05 ± 5.61). PA did not influence the number of oocytes (retrieved or mature) in the majority of clinical subgroups established (age, smoking, body mass index (BMI), anti-mullerian hormone (AMH)). However, in the subgroup ‘endometriosis’ the number of mature oocytes was significantly superior in high and moderate vs low PA (p=0.024). In the subgroup of patients with ovulatory disorders there were also more mature oocytes in high and moderate vs low PA (p=0.038). When performing the analysis according to accelerometer there were globally no significant differences between groups of PA. Only in women with normal BMI, high PA was significantly associated with a greater number of collected (p=0.005) and mature oocytes (p=0.004).

Conclusion: Globally, PA had no influence on ovarian response in IVF cycles, defined as number of retrieved and mature oocytes. However, in certain subgroups of patients (endometriosis, ovulatory disorders, normal-BMI) high PA was associated with a superior ovarian response.

Fatima Olaso is a Gynecologist and Biologist specialized in Human Reproduction. She received her Medical Degree from the University of Valencia in 2017 and a Master’s Degree in Human Assisted Reproduction. She completed the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Residency Programme at Cruces University Hospital (Spain) and received her PhD in 2024. She currently works at Instituto IGIN (Bilbao, Spain).