Menstrual Cycle, Sports
Conditions
Keywords
Menstrual cycle, Performance, Hormonal verification, Contraception
Brief 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.
Interventions
PROCEDUREDetermination 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.
PROCEDUREJump 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.
PROCEDUREGrip 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.
PROCEDUREFlexibility 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.
PROCEDUREIndirect 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.
DEVICESensory and pain threshold determination
by electrical muscle stimulator (Digitimer DS7A), during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase.
OTHERPhysical and mental symptoms associated with the menstrual cycle
By The Daily Record of Severity of Problems (DRSP) questionnaire, during a full menstrual cycle.
DEVICEDaily 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.
PROCEDUREBiochemical 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.
PROCEDUREBlood 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.
PROCEDUREBody 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.
PROCEDUREVital signs
Determination of blood pressure (mmHg) and heart rate (bpm) at baseline, one minute and three minutes after the Course Navette test
OTHERChecking for correct use of contraceptive methods
Pre-test questions about possible forgetfulness or mishandling of the method
PROCEDUREUrinary LH determination
Urine LH test strips are performed from day 8 of the cycle until positive.
Sponsors
Universitat Jaume I
Study design
Observational model
CASE_ONLY
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to 40 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
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).
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change from baseline daily activity | Duration of a full menstrual cycle (approximately 28 days) | by accelerometer (GENEActiv): Wrist-worn device measuring accelerations as a measure of daily activity, in cpm, counts per minute. |
| Change in cortisol concentration (in μg/dL) | three times in a month | concentration of cortisol in μg/dL |
| Change in TSH concentration (in mcUI/mL) | three times in a month | concentration of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and basal insulin in mcUI/mL |
| Change in SHBG concentration (in nmol/L) | three times in a month | concentration of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) in nmol/L |
| Change in free testosterone concentration (in pmol/L) | three times in a month | Concentration of free testosterone in pmol/L |
| Change in progesterone concentration (in ng/mL) | three times in a month | Concentration of progesterone, prolactin and total testosterone in ng/mL |
| Change in 17β-oestradiol concentration (in pg/mL) | three times in a month | concentration of 17β-oestradiol in pg/mL |
| Change in LH and FSH concentration (in mUI/mL) | three times in a month | Concentration of luteinizing hormone (LH) and FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) in mUI/mL |
| Change from baseline jumping height | three times in a month | 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. |
| Change from baseline grip strength | three times in a month | measuring of changes in muscle strength by handgrip dynamometer in the hand to be tested (handgrip test). Three attempts on each hand. |
| Change from baseline flexibility | three times in a month | measurement of changes in the range of motion of the hamstring musculature, by sit and reach test (cm). Three tries. |
| Change from baseline indirect maximum oxygen consumption | three times in a month | by the Course Navette test |
| Change from baseline sensory and pain threshold | three times in a month | by electrical muscle stimulator (Digitimer DS7A) |
| Change from baseline physical and mental symptoms associated with the menstrual cycle by The Daily Record of Severity of Problems questionnaire | Duration of a full menstrual cycle (approximately 28 days) | 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. |
| Change in T4 concentration (in mcg/dL) | three times in a month | concentration of T4 in mcg/dL |
| Change in T3 concentration (in ng/dL) | three times in a month | concentration of T3 in ng/dL |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in transferrin concentration (in mg/dL) | three times in a month | concentration of transferrin in mg/dL |
| Change in ferritin concentration (in ng/mL) | three times in a month | concentration of ferritin in ng/mL |
| Change in hemoglobin concentration (in g/dL) | three times in a month | concentration of hemoglobin in g/dL |
| Change in white blood cells and platelets concentration (in 10^3/μl) | three times in a month | concentration of white blood cells and platelets in 10\^3/μl |
| Change in hematocrit concentration (in %) | three times in a month | concentration of hematocrit in % |
| Change in red blood cells concentration (in 10^6/μl) | three times in a month | concentration of red blood cells in 10\^6/μL |
| Change in weight, proteins, minerals and body fat mass in kg | three times in a month | Weight, proteins, minerals and body fat mass in kg by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis |
| Change in Body Mass Index (BMI) in kg/m2 | three times in a month | Body Mass Index (BMI) in kg/m2 by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis and measuring tape |
| Change in Basal metabolic rate in kcal | three times in a month | Basal metabolic rate in kcal by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis |
| Change in total body water in liters (L) | three times in a month | total body water in liters (L) by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis |
| Change in Blood pressure in mmHg | three times in a month | Blood pressure (systolic and diastolic pressure) in mmHg at baseline, one minute and three minutes after the Course Navette test by blood pressure monitor |
| Change in heart rate in bpm | three times in a month | Heart rate in bpm at baseline, one minute and three minutes after the Course Navette test by blood pressure monitor |
| Change in iron concentration (in μg/dL) | three times in a month | concentration of iron in μg/dL |
Countries
Spain
Outcome results
None listed