The effect of the menstrual cycle and oral contraceptive cycle on muscle performance and perceptual measures
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Authors
Thompson, Belinda M.
Drover, Kaitlyn B.
Stellmaker, Rhiannon J.
Sculley, Dean V.
Janse de Jonge, Xanne A. K.
Issue Date
2021-10-09
Type
Article
Language
en_US
Keywords
Estrogen , Progesterone , Menstrual Cycle , Monophasic Oral Contraceptives , Androgenicity , Muscle Soreness
Alternative Title
Abstract
Most reproductive-aged women are exposed to fluctuating female steroid hormones due to the menstrual cycle or oral contraceptive use. This study investigated the potential effect of the menstrual cycle and combined monophasic oral contraceptive cycle on various aspects of muscle performance. Thirty active females (12 with a natural menstrual cycle, 10 taking a high-androgenicity oral contraceptive and 8 taking a low-androgenicity oral contraceptive), aged 18 to 30 years, were tested three times throughout one menstrual or oral contraceptive cycle. Counter-movement jumps, bilateral hop jumps, handgrip strength, isometric knee extensor strength and isokinetic knee flexion and extension were assessed. Perceptual ratings of fatigue, muscle soreness, pain and mood were recorded. Most variables showed no significant changes over the menstrual or oral contraceptive cycle. However, for the menstrual cycle group, isokinetic knee flexion at 240° s−1, and time of flight in bilateral hopping and counter movement jumps showed better results during the mid-luteal phase compared with the late follicular phase. For the high-androgenicity oral contraceptive group, isokinetic knee flexion at 240° s−1 was significantly higher in the late hormone phase compared with the early hormone phase. For the low-androgenicity oral contraceptive group, time of flight for the counter-movement jumps was lower in the late hormone phase compared with the early hormone phase. The findings indicate that faster and explosive aspects of muscle performance may be influenced by endogenous and exogenous female hormones.
Description
Citation
Thompson, B. M., Drover, K. B., Stellmaker, R. J., Sculley, D. V., & Janse de Jonge, X. (2021). The Effect of the Menstrual Cycle and Oral Contraceptive Cycle on Muscle Performance and Perceptual Measures. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(20), 10565. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182010565
Publisher
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health