This study will investigate the effect of menstrual cycle (MC) and oral contraceptive pill phase on aspects of exercise physiology and athletic performance in female athletes. Specifically, this study intends to investigate the effects of circulating fluctuations in oestradiol and progesterone, experienced during the menstrual cycle and oral contraceptive pill use, on aspects of exercise physiology and athletic performance in female athletes. This research will help researchers determine if a particular hormonal profile affects physiological functioning such as muscle strength, maximum oxygen uptake and athletic performance in female athletes.
The menstrual cycle is the body's way of preparing for pregnancy. A "normal" or "healthy" cycle lasts an average of 21-35 days, which starts on the first day of bleeding. Throughout each cycle, levels of the hormones oestrogen and progesterone vary. The oral contraceptive pill is designed to prevent pregnancy; one way it does this is by lowering the levels of oestrogen and progesterone. The main purpose of oestrogen and progesterone is for reproduction. These hormones have also been shown to affect other bodily functions. The effects of oestrogen and progesterone on a woman's capacity to undertake exercise is an important factor for active women to consider to optimise training schedules and athletic performances. Emerging research has suggested that menstrual cycle phase or oral contraceptive use is associated with changes in sport and exercise performance. However, research on this topic is lacking (both in quality and quantity), and currently is quite contradictory. Much more high-quality research is required to explore the impact of both natural and supplemented oestrogen and progesterone on exercise-related outcomes to give convincing advice to active women. This research must follow strict procedural guidelines and include accurate hormonal measurement (through blood samples) to increase its usefulness to exercising women. Such research is needed to establish a cause-and-effect relationship for any differences in exercise physiology and athletic performance between the different phases of the menstrual cycle, between phases of oral contraceptive pill taking and not-taking, and between women using or not-using oral contraceptives.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SCREENING
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
20
This project intends to investigate the effects of circulating fluctuations in oestradiol and progesterone, experienced during the menstrual cycle \[MC\] and oral contraceptive pill \[OCP\] use, on aspects of exercise physiology and athletic performance in female athletes. This research aims to determine if a particular hormonal profile affects physiological functioning (e.g., muscle strength, maximum oxygen uptake) and/or athletic performance in female athletes. The intervention will include a stretching regimen, balance test, push-ups, agility test, handgrip muscle test, vertical jump, flexibility test, cycling protocol, blood sample and height/ weight measurements.
Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic
London, Ontario, Canada
RECRUITINGBlood Sample
A blood sample will be drawn by a trained phlebotomist from an antecubital vein. Approximately 10 mL will be collected.
Time frame: Every visit (9-10 blood draws depending on the group). Through study completion, an average of 5 months.
Cycling Protocol
Prior to and following the cycling protocol a note will be made of any unique details of the test environment (i.e., temperature, humidity, pressure), performance, or athlete concerns in the comments section of the data sheet. Participants will complete a 5-minute warm-up at 35 W. Phase 1: The protocol will commence at a power output of 45 W and increased by 15 W every 4 min. For each stage, power output, average heart rate (HR) in the last 30 seconds, and blood lactate values in the last 15 seconds will be recorded. The last completed 4-minute workload will be recorded as maximal 4-minute power output. Phase 2:
Time frame: Visits 2-9 (EUM Group) and Visits 3, 5, 7-10 (OCP Group). Through study completion, an average of 5 months.
Height
Height will be measured in bare feet, with minimal clothing, and no impeding hairstyles, using a stadiometer. Participants will be positioned in the 'Frankfort Plane' and will be asked to take a deep breath, which they hold, while the measurement is taken.
Time frame: First visit only- Month 1
Weight
Body mass will be measured at every testing session by an experimenter using the same scales on each occasion (i.e., within and between participants) and the participants wearing minimal clothing and no shoes.
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 5 months.
Stork Balance Stand Test
Participants are required to remove their shoes and place their hands on their hips, then position their non-supporting foot against the inside knee of the supporting leg. They will be given one minute to practice the balance. Participants must raise their heel to balance on the ball of their foot. The stopwatch is started as the heel is raised from the floor. The stopwatch is stopped if any of the follow occur: * the hand(s) come off the hips * the supporting foot swivels or moves (hops) in any direction * the non-supporting foot loses contact with the knee * the heel of the supporting foot touches the floor The total time in seconds is recorded. The score is the best of three attempts. Allow 1 minute rest between attempts. Participants may continue to perform the test (beyond three attempts) as long as improvements are being made.
Time frame: Visits 2-9 (EUM Group) and Visits 3, 5, 7-10 (OCP Group). Through study completion, an average of 5 months.
Muscular Endurance: Push-ups
The push-up test is administered with participants starting in a modified knee push-up position (legs together, lower leg in contact with the mat and ankles plantar flexed, back straight, hands shoulder width apart, head up, using the knees as the pivotal point). The participants must raise the body by straightening the elbows and return to the "down" position, until the chin touches the mat. The stomach should not touch the mat. The participant's back must be straight at all times and the participant must push up to a straight arm position. The maximum number of push-ups performed consecutively without rest is counted as the score. The test is stopped when the participant strains forcibly or unable to maintain the appropriate technique within two repetitions.
Time frame: Visits 2-9 (EUM Group) and Visits 3, 5, 7-10 (OCP Group). Through study completion, an average of 5 months.
Illinois Agility Test
The length of the course is 10 meters and the width is 5 meters. Four cones are used to mark the start, finish and the two turning points. Another four cones are placed down the centre an equal distance apart. Each cone in the centre is spaced 3.3 meters apart. You will be asked to lie on your front (head to the start line) with your hands by your shoulders. On the 'Go' command the stopwatch is started, and you must get up as quickly as possible and run around the course in the direction indicated, without knocking the cones over, to the finish line, at which the timing is stopped. The total time in seconds is recorded. The score is the best of three attempts. Allow 1 minute rest between attempts. Participants may continue to perform the test (beyond three attempts) as long as improvements are being made.
Time frame: Visits 2-9 (EUM Group) and Visits 3, 5, 7-10 (OCP Group). Through study completion, an average of 5 months.
Muscular Strength: Handgrip
The participant holds the dynamometer in the dominant hand, with the arm at right angles and the elbow by the side of the body. The handle of the dynamometer is adjusted if required - the base should rest on the first metacarpal (heel of palm), while the handle should rest on middle of the four fingers. When ready the participant squeezes the dynamometer with maximum isometric effort, which is maintained for about 5 seconds. No other body movement is allowed. The participant should be strongly encouraged to give a maximum effort. The score is the best of three attempts. Allow 1 minute rest between attempts. Participants may continue to perform the test (beyond three attempts) as long as improvements are being made.
Time frame: Visits 2-9 (EUM Group) and Visits 3, 5, 7-10 (OCP Group). Through study completion, an average of 5 months.
Countermovement (power) jump
This test will be administered using the My Jump 2 app, which calculates the height, flight time, velocity, force, and power of vertical jumps by recording the jump and selecting accurately its take-off and landing. All participants will follow the same jump protocol. The participant squats down until the knees are bent at 90 degrees, then immediately jumps vertically as high as possible, landing back on the mat on both feet at the same time. Allow one minute rest between trials. The take-off must be from both feet, with no initial steps or shuffling. The best result of three attempts is recorded - participants may continue to jump (beyond three attempts) as long as improvements are being made. It is also important that the athlete not only jumps as high as possible, but also attempts to land in the same position as they took off - as jumping forwards, backwards or sideways can affect the test results.
Time frame: Visits 2-9 (EUM Group) and Visits 3, 5, 7-10 (OCP Group). Through study completion, an average of 5 months.
Sit and Reach Flexibility Test
This test involves sitting on the floor with legs stretched out straight ahead. Shoes should be removed. The soles of the feet are placed flat against the box. Both knees should be locked and pressed flat to the floor - the tester may assist by holding them down. With the palms facing downwards, and the hands on top of each other or side by side, you must reach forward along the measuring line as far as possible. Ensure that the hands remain at the same level, not one reaching further forward than the other. After some practice reaches, you must reach out and hold that position for one-two seconds while the distance is recorded. Make sure there are no jerky movements. The score is the best of three attempts. Allow 1 minute rest between attempts. Participants may continue to perform the test (beyond three attempts) as long as improvements are being made.
Time frame: Visits 2-9 (EUM Group) and Visits 3, 5, 7-10 (OCP Group). Through study completion, an average of 5 months.
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