Influence of Menstrual Cycle Stages on Female Athletes

Summary

The influence of the menstrual cycle on women's sports performance is still uncertain. Research on this topic shows methodological biases. The aim of the study will be to determine whether the menstrual cycle affects women's physical fitness, measuring this in 3 differentiated stages of the cycle: the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and luteal phase. For this purpose, a blood test will be carried out in each phase, with hormone determination (oestradiol and progesterone) and a haemogram to determine the existence of possible anemia. After the extraction and other complementary tests (measurement of vital signs, bioimpedance...) the woman will undergo 3 physical tests to compare the results in the 3 phases. A group of women taking hormonal contraception will also be included, performing the same interventions. To determine whether the woman is ovulating or not, urinary luteinizing hormone (LH) strips will be given to the women and they will have to take them from day 8 of the cycle. In addition, women will wear an accelerometer to monitor their daily activity and to be able to observe if there is an influence on this stage of the menstrual cycle.

Conditions

• Menstrual Cycle
• Sports

Interventions

PROCEDURE

Determination of hormone level concentrations

Determination of concentration of 17β-oestradiol (pg/mL), progesterone (ng/mL), LH (mUI/mL), FSH (mUI/mL), prolactin (ng/mL), total testosterone (ng/mL), free testosterone (pmol/L) sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) (nmol/L), cortisol (μg/dL), T3 (ng/dL), T4 (mcg/dL), TSH (mcU/mL), basal insulin (mcUI/mL) during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase.

PROCEDURE

Jump height determination

by Chronojump contact mat, determine five types of jump in centimeters: Squat jump without additional weight, Squat jump with 50% of body weight, Countermovement jump, Abalakov jump, and Drop jump, during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase.

PROCEDURE

Grip strength determination

measuring of changes in muscle strength by handgrip dynamometer in the hand to be tested (handgrip test) during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase. Three attempts on each hand.

PROCEDURE

Flexibility determination

measurement of changes in the range of motion of the hamstring musculature, by sit and reach test (cm), during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase. Three tries.

PROCEDURE

Indirect maximum oxygen consumption determination

by the Course Navette test, the indirect oxygen consumption is calculated using the formula: VO2max = (6xFA) - 27,4 (FA = Speed of the last stage of the test completed. It takes place during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase.

DEVICE

Sensory and pain threshold determination

by electrical muscle stimulator (Digitimer DS7A), during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase.

OTHER

Physical and mental symptoms associated with the menstrual cycle

By The Daily Record of Severity of Problems (DRSP) questionnaire, during a full menstrual cycle.

DEVICE

Daily activity

by accelerometer (GENEActiv) during a full menstrual cylcle: Wrist-worn device measuring accelerations as a measure of daily activity, in cpm, counts per minute.

PROCEDURE

Biochemical parameters determination

Determination of concentration of iron (μg/dL), ferritin (ng/mL), and transferrin (mg/dL), during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase.

PROCEDURE

Blood count determination

Determination of concentration of hemoglobin (g/dL), red blood cells (10\^6/μL), hematocrit (%), white blood cells (10\^3/μl), platelets (10\^3/μl), during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase.

PROCEDURE

Body composition parameters determination

Determination of weight (kg), total body water (L), proteins (kg), minerals (kg), body fat mass (kg), body mass index (BMI) (kg/m2), basal metabolic rate (kcal) by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis, during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase.

PROCEDURE

Vital signs

Determination of blood pressure (mmHg) and heart rate (bpm) at baseline, one minute and three minutes after the Course Navette test

OTHER

Checking for correct use of contraceptive methods

Pre-test questions about possible forgetfulness or mishandling of the method

PROCEDURE

Urinary LH determination

Urine LH test strips are performed from day 8 of the cycle until positive.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Universitat Jaume I

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Paula Recacha-Ponce, Midwife · Universitat Jaume I

• Eladio Collado-Boira, Doctor · Universitat Jaume I

• Carlos Hernando-Domingo, Doctor · Universitat Jaume I

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

40 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2022-03-16

Primary Completion

2022-07-15

Completion

2022-07-15

Countries

• Spain

Study Locations