Effects of menstrual cycle on blood lactate, O2 delivery, and performance during exercise

Abstract

The effects of the menstrual cycle on cardiorespiratory variables, blood lactate, and performance were studied in exercising females. Nine healthy subjects, 20--24 yr of age, were investigated in midfollicular and midluteal phases of the menstrual cycle at 33, 66, and 90% of maximum power output (light, heavy, and exhaustive exercise). Occurrence of ovulation was confirmed in all subjects by measurement of progesterone, which increased from 0.6 +/- 0.1 (mean +/- SE) in the follicular to 8.9 +/- 2.2 ng/ml in the luteal phase. There was no difference in heart rate (HR), ventilation, O2 uptake, or CO2 output between the two phases during light and heavy exercise, and there was no difference in HR at exhaustion. Cardiac output measured midway through light and heavy exercise periods was not affected by the phase of testing. Time for which exhaustive exercise could be maintained increased from 1.57 +/- 0.32 in the follicular to 2.97 +/- 0.63 min in the luteal phase (P less than 0.02). Blood lactate was higher in the follicular phase after heavy exercise (6.62 +/- 0.8 vs. 4.92 +/- 0.5 mmol/l) (P less than 0.05) and at exhaustion (8.12 +/- 0.9 vs. 6.76 +/- 0.6 mmol/L) (P less than 0.01). A further study showed no effect of cycle phase on lactate disappearance during exercise. We conclude that while aerobic performance and the cardiorespiratory adaptations to exercise are not influenced by the phase of the menstrual cycle, performance of high-intensity exercise is improved, and lactate production appears to be decreased in the luteal phase when estradiol and progesterone levels are elevated.

Influence of menstrual phase on ventilatory response to submaximal exercise

“…In contrast, some previous studies have observed greater minute ventilation during exercise in the luteal phase compared with the follicular phase, 4,6,9,11,12 but this has not been consistently reported. 2,3,5,8,10 However, despite the finding of no difference in minute ventilation between EF and ML in this current study and no significant correlation between absolute minute ventilation and ovarian hormones, we did observe a significant relationship in the change in minute ventilation from EF to ML and the oestrogen and progesterone concentration, and the magnitude of increase in oestrogen between these menstrual phases.…”

“…Most previous studies use only minute ventilation or ventilatory equivalents as a means of comparing respiratory drive during exercise between menstrual phases, [2][3][4][5][6][8][9][10][11][12] and do not consider the contributing variables, respiratory rate or tidal volume. Furthermore, most previous reports have only evaluated ventilatory drive over short exercise periods [3][4][5][6][10][11][12] whereas the current study demonstrated that the increase in respiratory rate during exercise in the ML phase continued to persist throughout a prolonged exercise period.…”

“…A number of studies have observed an increase in the ventilatory equivalent (the ratio of VE to VO2) or a decrease in the end tidal partial pressure of carbon dioxide during incremental exercise to exhaustion in the luteal phase versus the follicular phase or with MPA supplementation in males versus control condition. 4,6,9,11,12 However, others have found no difference in VE during maximal 3,10 or submaximal exercise. 2,5,8,9 Beidleman et al viewed a progesterone-induced increase in VE to be a potential benefit for athletes when exercising at altitude by possibly causing an increase in oxygen delivery to muscle.…”

“…4,6,9,11,12 However, others have found no difference in VE during maximal 3,10 or submaximal exercise. 2,5,8,9 Beidleman et al viewed a progesterone-induced increase in VE to be a potential benefit for athletes when exercising at altitude by possibly causing an increase in oxygen delivery to muscle. 2 However, they found no improvements in VO2max or endurance capacity at altitude despite a small increase in oxygen saturation (3%) in the ML phase compared with the EF phase.…”

Effects of Acute Beta-Alanine Supplementation on Anaerobic Performance in Trained Female Cyclists

“…Participants for this study consisted of 12 trained, competitively active female cyclists (26.661.3 y, 161.086 1.78 cm, 58.6761.74 kg) training an average of 3.9260.64 y. As high-intensity exercise, lactate production, and lactate clearance are negatively affected during the follicular phase (17), all testing took place in the luteal phase of menstruation (48-h after selfreported cessation of menses). Participants completed an initial exercise log and maintained the same level of training intensity, time, and volume for the duration of the study.…”