Current evidence shows no influence of women's menstrual cycle phase on acute strength performance or adaptations to resistance exercise training

Colenso-Semple, Lauren; D'Souza, Alysha C.; Elliott‐Sale, Kirsty J.; Phillips, Stuart M.

doi:10.3389/fspor.2023.1054542

Cited by 59 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…In a similar manner, menses were not assessed in female participants. Nevertheless, it is questionable whether this would affect the findings of this study, as current evidence shows no systematic influence of the menstrual cycle on acute strength and endurance performance (Taipale-Mikkonen et al, 2021;Colenso-Semple et al, 2023). As the results of this study are cross-sectional, the question of compliance over time and the influence of training on strength determinants raises, which need to be investigated in further research.…”

Section: Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 76%

Contribution of different strength determinants on distinct phases of Olympic rowing performance in adolescent athletes

Ledergerber

Jacobs

Roth

et al. 2023

European Journal of Sport Science

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Aerobic metabolism dominates Olympic rowing, but research on the relative contribution of strength and power demands is limited. This study aimed to identify the contribution of different strength determinants for distinct phases of rowing ergometer performance. The crosssectional analysis comprised of 14 rowing athletes (4 female, 10 male, age: 18.8 ± 3.0y, 16.9 ± 2.2y). Measurements included anthropometrics, maximal strength of leg press, trunk extension and flexion, mid-thigh pull (MTP) and handgrip strength, VO 2 max, and a 2000 m time trial, where peak forces at the start, middle and end phase were assessed. Additionally, rate of force development (RFD) was assessed during the isometric leg press and MTP with intervals of 150, 350 ms and 150, 300 ms, respectively. Stepwise regression models for ergometer performance showed that the start phase was mainly explained by maximal trunk extension and RFD 300 ms of MTP (R 2 = 0.91, p < 0.001) and the middle section by VO 2 max, maximal leg press strength and sitting height (R 2 = 0.84, p < 0.001). For the end phase, a best fit was observed for trunk flexion, RFD 350 ms of leg press, body height and sex (R 2 = 0.97 p < 0.001), whereas absolute VO 2 max, trunk flexion and sex explained variance over the entire 2000 m time trial (R 2 = 0.98, p < 0.001). It appears that for the high acceleration in the start phase, force transmission through maximum strength for trunk extension is essential, while fast power production along the kinetic chain is also relevant. Additionally, the results support that maximal force complements the reliance on VO 2 max. Further intervention studies are needed to refine training recommendations.

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Section: Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 76%

Contribution of different strength determinants on distinct phases of Olympic rowing performance in adolescent athletes

Ledergerber

Jacobs

Roth

et al. 2023

European Journal of Sport Science

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“…In female participants, menstrual cycle status and the use of hormonal contraception and were not controlled for. Menstrual cycle status could potentially have influenced performance outcomes; however, studies of the menstrual cycle's effect on performance have demonstrated inconsistent results (Colenso‐Semple et al., 2023), and a recent meta‐analysis concluded that the menstrual cycle does not influence strength performance (Blagrove et al., 2020). Our female participants included those who did ( n = 7) and did not use hormonal contraception ( n = 7).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Skeletal muscle adaptations to high‐intensity, low‐volume concurrent resistance and interval training in recreationally active men and women

Sterczala,

Rodriguez‐Ortiz,

Feigel

et al. 2024

Physiological Reports

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This study compared the structural and cellular skeletal muscle factors underpinning adaptations in maximal strength, power, aerobic capacity, and lean body mass to a 12‐week concurrent resistance and interval training program in men and women. Recreationally active women and men completed three training sessions per week consisting of high‐intensity, low‐volume resistance training followed by interval training performed using a variety upper and lower body exercises representative of military occupational tasks. Pre‐ and post‐training vastus lateralis muscle biopsies were analyzed for changes in muscle fiber type, cross‐sectional area, capillarization, and mitochondrial biogenesis marker content. Changes in maximal strength, aerobic capacity, and lean body mass (LBM) were also assessed. Training elicited hypertrophy of type I (12.9%; p = 0.016) and type IIa (12.7%; p = 0.007) muscle fibers in men only. In both sexes, training decreased type IIx fiber expression (1.9%; p = 0.046) and increased total PGC‐1α (29.7%, p < 0.001) and citrate synthase (11.0%; p < 0.014) content, but had no effect on COX IV content or muscle capillarization. In both sexes, training increased maximal strength and LBM but not aerobic capacity. The concurrent training program was effective at increasing strength and LBM but not at improving aerobic capacity or skeletal muscle adaptations underpinning aerobic performance.

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“…All players reported eumenorrhea at testing point 2, with a third (7 players) using hormonal contraceptives. While low iron stores, as approximated from ferritin levels, may compromise aerobic capacity or adaptations to training, the impact on lean mass remains unclear [34,35]. These findings advocate for the inclusion of full iron profiles, rather than relying solely on haemoglobin levels, in the performance program for female rugby players.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Longitudinal changes in anthropometric, physiological, and physical qualities of international women’s rugby league players

Scantlebury,

Costello,

Owen

et al. 2024

Preprint

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This is the first study to assess longitudinal changes in anthropometric, physiological, and physical qualities of international women’s rugby league players. Thirteen forwards and 11 backs were tested three times over a 10-month period. Assessments included: standing height and body mass, body composition measured by dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), a blood panel, resting metabolic rate (RMR) assessed by indirect calorimetry, aerobic capacity (i.e., VO2max) evaluated by an incremental treadmill test, and isometric force production measured by a force plate. During the pre-season phase, lean mass increased significantly by ~2% for backs (testing point 1: 47 kg; testing point 2: 48 kg) and forwards (testing point 1: 50 kg; testing point 2: 51 kg) (p = ≤ 0.05). Backs significantly increased their VO2max by 22% from testing point 1 (40 ml·kg-1·min-1) to testing point 3 (49 ml·kg-1·min-1) (p = ≤ 0.04). The VO2max of forwards increased by 10% from testing point 1 (41 ml·kg-1·min-1) to testing point 3 (45 ml·kg-1·min-1), however this change was not significant (p = ≥ 0.05). Body mass (values represent the range of means across the three testing points) (backs: 68 kg; forwards: 77-78 kg), fat mass percentage (backs: 25-26%; forwards: 30-31%), resting metabolic rate (backs: 7 MJ·day-1; forwards: 7 MJ·day-1), isometric mid-thigh pull (backs: 2106-2180 N; forwards: 2155-2241 N), isometric bench press (backs: 799-822 N; forwards: 999-1024 N), isometric prone row (backs: 625-628 N; forwards: 667-678 N) and bloods (backs: ferritin 21-29 ug/L, haemoglobin 137-140 g/L, iron 17-21 umol/L, transferrin 3 g/L, transferring saturation 23-28%; forwards: ferritin 31-33 ug/L, haemoglobin 141-145 g/L, iron 20-23 umol/L, transferrin 3 g/L, transferrin saturation 26-31%) did not change (p = ≥ 0.05). This study provides novel longitudinal data which can be used to better prepare women rugby league players for the unique demands of their sport, underpinning female athlete health.

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Current evidence shows no influence of women's menstrual cycle phase on acute strength performance or adaptations to resistance exercise training

Cited by 59 publications

References 39 publications

Contribution of different strength determinants on distinct phases of Olympic rowing performance in adolescent athletes

Contribution of different strength determinants on distinct phases of Olympic rowing performance in adolescent athletes

Skeletal muscle adaptations to high‐intensity, low‐volume concurrent resistance and interval training in recreationally active men and women

Longitudinal changes in anthropometric, physiological, and physical qualities of international women’s rugby league players

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