Influence of Menstrual Cycle Stages on Female Athletes

Universitat Jaume I41 enrolled

Overview

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.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

Conditions

Menstrual Cycle Sports

Interventions

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.

Jump height determinationPROCEDURE

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.

Grip strength determinationPROCEDURE

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.

Flexibility determinationPROCEDURE

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.

Indirect maximum oxygen consumption determinationPROCEDURE

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.

Sensory and pain threshold determinationDEVICE

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

Physical and mental symptoms associated with the menstrual cycleOTHER

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

Daily activityDEVICE

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

Biochemical parameters determinationPROCEDURE

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.

Blood count determinationPROCEDURE

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.

Body composition parameters determinationPROCEDURE

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.

Vital signsPROCEDURE

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

Checking for correct use of contraceptive methodsOTHER

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

Urinary LH determinationPROCEDURE

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

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 40 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: Inclusion criteria natural cycles group: * Female sex * Women between 18 and 40 years of age * Women who are members of a federation and who compete in a sport doing at least 240 minutes of exercise per week. * Women with regular menstrual cycles (between 23 and 38 days long). * Women who have not taken hormonal contraceptives (HA) for 6 months or more. Inclusion criteria artificial cycles group: * Female sex * Women between 18-40 years of age * Women federated and competed in a sport doing at least 240 minutes of exercise per week. * Long-term users of HA (minimum 6 months). Exclusion Criteria: Exclusion criteria group natural cycles: * Refusal to participate in the study * Sedentary women * Women on HA currently or in the 6 months before the study * Women with irregular menstrual cycles, less than 23 or more than 38 days in length * Any existing metabolic disease or disorder * Regular use of medications or dietary supplements that could affect the results * Pregnancy or breastfeeding Exclusion criteria artificial cycles group: * Refusal to participate in the study * Sedentary women * Any existing metabolic disease or disorder * Regular use of medications or dietary supplements that could affect the results * Inability to manage contraception in a disciplined manner

Locations (1)

Jaume I University

Castellon, Castellon, Spain

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change in 17β-oestradiol concentration (in pg/mL)

concentration of 17β-oestradiol in pg/mL

Time frame: three times in a month

Change in T4 concentration (in mcg/dL)

concentration of T4 in mcg/dL

Time frame: three times in a month

Change in T3 concentration (in ng/dL)

concentration of T3 in ng/dL

Time frame: three times in a month

Change in cortisol concentration (in μg/dL)

concentration of cortisol in μg/dL

Time frame: three times in a month

Change in TSH concentration (in mcUI/mL)

concentration of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and basal insulin in mcUI/mL

Time frame: three times in a month

Change in SHBG concentration (in nmol/L)

concentration of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) in nmol/L

Time frame: three times in a month

Change in free testosterone concentration (in pmol/L)

Concentration of free testosterone in pmol/L

Time frame: three times in a month

Change in progesterone concentration (in ng/mL)

Concentration of progesterone, prolactin and total testosterone in ng/mL

Time frame: three times in a month

Change in LH and FSH concentration (in mUI/mL)

Concentration of luteinizing hormone (LH) and FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) in mUI/mL

Time frame: three times in a month

Change from baseline jumping height

Measuring of change in muscle power through Squat jump without additional weight, Squat jump with 50% of body weight, Countermovement jump, Abalakov jump, and Drop jump by Chronojump contact mat, in cm. Three tries on each jump.

Time frame: three times in a month

Change from baseline grip strength

measuring of changes in muscle strength by handgrip dynamometer in the hand to be tested (handgrip test). Three attempts on each hand.

Time frame: three times in a month

Change from baseline flexibility

measurement of changes in the range of motion of the hamstring musculature, by sit and reach test (cm). Three tries.

Time frame: three times in a month

Change from baseline indirect maximum oxygen consumption

by the Course Navette test

Time frame: three times in a month

Change from baseline sensory and pain threshold

by electrical muscle stimulator (Digitimer DS7A)

Time frame: three times in a month

Change from baseline physical and mental symptoms associated with the menstrual cycle by The Daily Record of Severity of Problems questionnaire

By The Daily Record of Severity of Problems (DRSP) questionnaire. This scale measures symptoms subjectively from 1 to 6, where 1 corresponds to "not at all" and 6 corresponds to "extreme". The higher the score, the more severe the symptom is.

Time frame: Duration of a full menstrual cycle (approximately 28 days)

Change from baseline daily activity

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

Time frame: Duration of a full menstrual cycle (approximately 28 days)

Secondary Outcomes

Change in iron concentration (in μg/dL)

concentration of iron in μg/dL

Time frame: three times in a month

Change in transferrin concentration (in mg/dL)

concentration of transferrin in mg/dL

Time frame: three times in a month

Change in ferritin concentration (in ng/mL)

concentration of ferritin in ng/mL

Time frame: three times in a month

Change in hemoglobin concentration (in g/dL)

concentration of hemoglobin in g/dL

Time frame: three times in a month

Change in white blood cells and platelets concentration (in 10^3/μl)

concentration of white blood cells and platelets in 10\^3/μl

Time frame: three times in a month

Change in hematocrit concentration (in %)

concentration of hematocrit in %

Time frame: three times in a month

Change in red blood cells concentration (in 10^6/μl)

concentration of red blood cells in 10\^6/μL

Time frame: three times in a month

Change in weight, proteins, minerals and body fat mass in kg

Weight, proteins, minerals and body fat mass in kg by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis

Time frame: three times in a month

Change in Body Mass Index (BMI) in kg/m2

Body Mass Index (BMI) in kg/m2 by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis and measuring tape

Time frame: three times in a month

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Change in Basal metabolic rate in kcal

Basal metabolic rate in kcal by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis

Time frame: three times in a month

Change in total body water in liters (L)

total body water in liters (L) by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis

Time frame: three times in a month

Change in Blood pressure in mmHg

Blood pressure (systolic and diastolic pressure) in mmHg at baseline, one minute and three minutes after the Course Navette test by blood pressure monitor

Time frame: three times in a month

Change in heart rate in bpm

Heart rate in bpm at baseline, one minute and three minutes after the Course Navette test by blood pressure monitor

Time frame: three times in a month