Effects of Female Reproductive Hormones on Sports Performance

Effects of the menstrual cycle and oral contraceptive use on oxygen delivery: aerobic performance, substrate oxidation and iron metabolism (IronFEMME pilot study) = Influencia del ciclo menstrual y del uso de anticonceptivos orales en el suministro de oxígeno: rendimiento aeróbico, oxidación de sustratos y metabolismo del hierro (Estudio piloto IronFEMME)

“…Despite the results of the magnitude-based inference analysis that appears to be a possible effect for fat oxidation (p=0.018) with higher values in the hormonal phase, our OC group did not show significantly RER differences between hormonal and nonhormonal phases which is consistent with previous results (Suh et al, 2003). The OC influence on the type of fuel during exercise remains unclear because the interactions of OC with energy metabolism are complex and there is inconsistency found in the literature (Lebrun et al, 2013). Another physiological parameter that might influence our results is the oestrogen/progesterone ratio, which D' Eon & Braun (2002) advocates that should be high enough to interact with the energy metabolism.…”

“…The present investigation analyses the differences in substrate oxidation among endurance and strength trained females characterized by a regular menstrual cycle or with taking OC. Despite previous equivocal evidence(Lebrun et al, 2013;Oosthuyse & Bosch, 2010), the present study found no differences in RER throughout menstrual cycle phases in either of the groups. This finding is in line withVaiksaar et al (2011) study …”

“…During these phases, CHOs are stored as glycogen in liver and muscle, while fats become the primary fuel Dawson & Reilly, 2009;Isacco et al, 2012;Lebrun et al, 2013). Furthermore, a research study (Suh et al, 2002) concluded that substrate availability and nutritional state (post-prandial vs fasting state) could be more determinant than sex hormone concentration in the selection of the energetic substrate during exercise in female athletes.…”

“…The use of the oral contraceptive (OC) may interfere with substrate utilization during exercise. While modifications on metabolism influenced by OC are still controversial, there does seem to be consistency within dose and type of OC (Burrows & Bird, 2000;Lebrun, Joyce, & Constantini, 2013;Suh et al, 2003). The main purpose of this work was to study the differences in substrates oxidation among hormonal phases in regular menstrual cycle (i.e.…”

How the menstrual cycle and menstruation affect sporting performance: experiences and perceptions of elite female rugby players

“…Complex relationships exist between the menstrual cycle, associated hormonal fluctuations, and various aspects/markers of health, wellbeing and sporting performance [1][2][3][4]. Within the general population, it has long since been reported that the menstrual cycle and its related physical and psychological symptomology can often impact negatively upon daily life and activities [3,5,6] including absenteeism from school or work [7].…”