The fluctuating concentrations of female sex hormones, namely estrogen and progesterone may have an effect on the ability of the tissue to withstand challenging exercise conditions, such as eccentric exercise. These sex hormones have also been purported to influence the perceived difficulty of exercise. This study aims to uncover how the different estrogen and progesterone concentrations present throughout the menstrual cycle effect perceived readiness to perform, perceptions of difficulty, and different recovery metrics.
Although nearly half of the population is female, less than 10% of research resources are allocated to understanding how their dynamic physiology impacts athletic readiness, performance, and recovery. The fluctuating concentrations of female sex hormones, namely estrogen and progesterone may have an effect on the ability of the tissue to withstand challenging exercise conditions, such as eccentric exercise. This study aims to uncover how the different estrogen and progesterone concentrations present throughout the menstrual cycle effect perceived readiness to perform, perceptions of difficulty, and the inflammatory environment and quantification of muscle damage.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
30
Participants will complete a 10 x 10 eccentric leg extension on a Cybex Norm dynamometer. Upon arrival, participants will be asked their perceived readiness to perform on a 11 point numeric rating scale. Before the running protocol a baseline blood sample will be collected, as well as passive and active delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), a countermovement jump. Half way through each set (i.e., after the 5th repetition) participants will be asked to rank their level of difficulty on a 11 point OMNI Res scale. This will occur during each set. Participants will have follow up blood draws, measures of muscle function (i.e, jump height) and soreness measured immediately after and 24 and 48 hours post-exercise.
Clinical Exercise Research Center
Los Angeles, California, United States
RECRUITINGPreparedness to perform
Perceived readiness will be measured on an 11 point numeric rating scale (NRS) with 0 being not ready at all, and 10 being most prepared
Time frame: Pre exercise
Rating of difficulty
Perceived difficulty will be measured on a 11 point numeric rating scale called the OMNI res throughout the duration of exercise.
Time frame: 30 minutes
Inflammatory markers
Inflammatory markers (IL-6, IL-8, TNF-alpha, and IL-10) will be measured in blood serum to understand how the concentration of estrogen changes the inflammatory response to damaging exercise.
Time frame: Change over time (pre/post, 24 hour, 48 hour)
Counter movement jump height
A countermovement jump (CMJ) will be performed on VALD ForceDecks to determine muscle function overtime.
Time frame: Change over time (pre/post, 24 hour, 48 hour)
Passive Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS)
DOMS will be assessed as participants are stationary to assess their perception of muscle damage over time.
Time frame: Change over time (pre/post, 24 hour, 48 hour)
Active Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS)
DOMS will be assessed as participants complete a wall sit to assess their perception of muscle soreness over time.
Time frame: Change over time (pre/post, 24 hour, 48 hour)
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