Recacha-Ponce, P.; Collado-Boira, E.; Suarez-Alcazar, P.; Montesinos-Ruiz, M.; Hernando-Domingo, C. Is It Necessary to Adapt Training According to the Menstrual Cycle? Influence of Contraception and Physical Fitness Variables. Life2023, 13, 1764.
Recacha-Ponce, P.; Collado-Boira, E.; Suarez-Alcazar, P.; Montesinos-Ruiz, M.; Hernando-Domingo, C. Is It Necessary to Adapt Training According to the Menstrual Cycle? Influence of Contraception and Physical Fitness Variables. Life 2023, 13, 1764.
Recacha-Ponce, P.; Collado-Boira, E.; Suarez-Alcazar, P.; Montesinos-Ruiz, M.; Hernando-Domingo, C. Is It Necessary to Adapt Training According to the Menstrual Cycle? Influence of Contraception and Physical Fitness Variables. Life2023, 13, 1764.
Recacha-Ponce, P.; Collado-Boira, E.; Suarez-Alcazar, P.; Montesinos-Ruiz, M.; Hernando-Domingo, C. Is It Necessary to Adapt Training According to the Menstrual Cycle? Influence of Contraception and Physical Fitness Variables. Life 2023, 13, 1764.
Abstract
(1) Background: The influence of the menstrual cycle on physical fitness in athletes is controversial in the scientific literature. There is a marked fluctuation of sex hormones at three key points of the menstrual cycle, where estrogen and progesterone vary significantly. Hormonal contraception induces hormonal levels different from the natural menstrual cycle, requiring specific study in relation to physical fitness. (2) Method: Women aged 18 to 40 years with regular natural menstrual cycles and women using hormonal contraception were recruited, creating two study groups. All participants needed to be athletes classified as level II-III according to the classification by McKay et al (2021), based on training volume/physical activity metrics, among other variables. To assess their physical fitness, Cardiorespiratory Fitness (measured by VO2max), high-speed strength, hand grip strength, and flexibility were evaluated. Blood samples were taken to determine the menstrual cycle phase through analysis of sex hormone levels. Additionally, urine tests for ovulation detection were performed for the natural menstrual cycle group. Neurosensory stimulation tests were incorporated to measure sensory threshold and pain threshold in each phase. Body composition in each phase and its relationship with the other variables were also taken into account. (3) Results: Athletes in the natural cycling group showed differences in VO2max (mL·kg-1·min-1) (phase I =41.75 vs phase II =43,85 and (p=0.004) and phase I vs phase III=43,25 mL·kg-1·min-1 (p =0.043)), as well as in body weight (phase I = 63.23 vs. phase III = 62.48 kg; p=0.006), first pain threshold (phase I = 1.34 vs. phase II = 1.69 (p=0.027) and phase III = 1.59 mA (p=0.011)), and sensitive threshold (phase I = 0.64 vs. phase II = 0.76 mA (p=0.017)). The pain threshold was found to be an important covariate in relation to VO2max, explaining 31.9% of the variance in phase I (p=0.006). These findings were not observed between the two phases of contraceptive cycling. (4) Conclusion: The natural menstrual cycle will cause significant changes in the physical fitness of athletes. The use of hormonal contraception is not innocuous. Women with natural cycles show a decrease in cardiorespiratory fitness in phases II and III, which is a factor to be considered in relation to training level and workload.
Public Health and Healthcare, Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
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