Effect of Menstrual Cycle Phase on the Recovery Process of High-Intensity Interval Exercise—A Cross-Sectional Observational Study

Abstract

Although the study of the menstrual cycle influence on endurance exercise has recently increased, there is a lack of literature studying its influence on females’ cardiorespiratory recovery. Thus, the aim of the present work was to assess menstrual cycle influence on post-exercise recovery following a high intensity interval exercise in trained females. Thirteen eumenorrheic endurance-trained females performed an interval running protocol in three menstrual cycle phases: early follicular phase (EFP), late follicular phase (LFP), and mid-luteal phase (MLP). The protocol consisted of 8 × 3-min bouts at 85% of their maximal aerobic speed (vVO2peak) with a 90-s rest between bouts and a final 5-min active recovery at 30% vVO2peak. All variables were averaged every 15 s, obtaining 19 moments during recovery (time factor). To analyze the effects of the menstrual cycle on the final active cardiorespiratory recovery, an ANOVA for repeated measures was performed. ANOVA showed an effect on menstrual cycle phase on ventilation (EFP: 1.27 ± 0.35; LFP: 1.19 ± 0.36; MLP: 1.27 ± 0.37), breathing frequency (EFP: 35.14 ± 7.14; LFP: 36.32 ± 7.11; MLP: 37.62 ± 7.23), and carbon dioxide production (EFP: 1120.46 ± 137.62; LFP: 1079.50 ± 129.57; MLP: 1148.78 ± 107.91). Regarding the interaction results (phase x time), ventilation is higher at many of the recovery times during the MLP, with less frequent differences between EFP and LFP (F = 1.586; p = 0.019), while breathing reserve is lower at many of the recovery times during MLP, with less time differences between EFP and LFP (F = 1.643; p = 0.013). It seems that the menstrual cycle affects post-exercise recovery specially during the MLP, rising ventilation and lowering breathing reserve, giving rise to an impaired ventilatory efficiency.

Impact of menstrual cycle or combined oral contraception on elite female cyclists' training responses through a clustering analysis of training sessions

“…Some studies suggest that neuromuscular function and fatigability change across the MC with a higher voluntary activation and lower fatigability during the late mid-cycle phase ( 35 ). Concerning recovery, ventilatory parameters seem to be better in late mid-cycle phase vs. late-cycle phase ( 36 ). These metabolic and muscular specificities could support our results, especially the ability to produce higher intensity in the mid-cycle during an intensive training session, corresponding to the cluster of intensive effort.…”

“…Female sex hormones fluctuations, including estrogen and progesterone, impact many physiological, psychological and biomechanical systems. The mid-cycle phase, characterized by an increase of estrogens level, and the late-cycle phase characterized by a peak of progesterone combined with a second rise up of estrogen, are associated with specific effects on substrate metabolism, energy store, muscles and perceptual responses (30)(31)(32)(33). Given the absence of validated ovulation or hormone level measurements, we can only refer to the mid-cycle as a proxy for the follicular phase and the late phase as a proxy for the luteal phase.…”

Current State of the Problem of Menstrual Cycle Disorders in Women of Reproductive Age With Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Dysplasia (Literature Review)

“…Physical activity is an important part of the treatment of connective tissue diseases, because with the simultaneous normalization of body weight, which contributes to the regularity and quality of menstrual function, muscle tone improves, which compensates for the insufficient development of connective tissue [61,62].…”

Women at Altitude: Sex-Related Physiological Responses to Exercise in Hypoxia

“…In women taking combined contraceptive pills (mono-, bi-, tri-, or quadriphasic oral contraceptives) the exogenous hormones are fairly constant and reduce the endogenous levels of sex hormones, followed by a phase without exogenous hormones during pill withdrawal. These sex hormone fluctuations impact numerous physiological functions that may influence training [ 160 , 161 ] and performance [ 162 , 163 ], such as recovery [ 164 ], wellness [ 165 ], and in particular, considering the altitude environment, respiratory function [ 166 ].

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