Oral contraceptive pill use and the susceptibility to markers of exercise-induced muscle damage

Abstract

PurposeFirstly, to establish whether oral contraceptive pill (OCP) users are more susceptible to muscle damage compared to non-users, and secondly, to establish whether differences can be attributed to differences in patella tendon properties.MethodsNine female OCP users and 9 female non-users participated in the investigation. Combining dynamometry, electromyography and ultrasonography, patella tendon properties and vastus lateralis architectural properties were measured pre and during the first of 6 sets of 12 maximal voluntary eccentric knee extensions. Serum oestrogen levels were measured on the 7th day of the pill cycle and the 14th day of menstrual cycle in OCP users and non-users, respectively. Maximal voluntary isometric knee extension torque loss, creatine kinase and muscle soreness were measured 48 h pre-damage, post-damage, and 48, 96 and 168 h post-damage.ResultsOestrogen levels were significantly lower in OCP users compared to non-users (209 ± 115 and 433 ± 147 pg/ml, respectively, p = 0.004). Proposed determinants of muscle damage, patella tendon stiffness and maximal eccentric torque did not differ between OCP users and non-users. The change in creatine kinase from pre to peak was significantly higher in OCP users compared to non-users (962 ± 968 and 386 ± 474 Ul, respectively, p = 0.016). There were no other differences in markers of muscle damage.ConclusionAlthough our findings suggest that, when compared to non-users, the OCP may augment the creatine kinase response following eccentric exercise, it does not increase the susceptibility to any other markers of muscle damage.

The Effects of Oral Contraceptives on Exercise Performance in Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

“…Collectively, these findings indicate that OCPs might, on average, exert a slightly negative impact on performance, but from a practical point of view the effect magnitude and variability support consideration of an individual's response to OCP use, so that decisions as to the appropriateness of OCP use can be tailored to the individual requirements (e.g., contraceptive or medical need) and response (i.e., to what degree they might be affected) of each athlete. Pooling of data comparing exercise performance between OCP consumption and withdrawal estimated an Anderson et al [35] Grucza et al [46] Grucza et al [47] Elliott et al [5] de Bruyn−Prevost et al [40] Hicks et al [48] Sunderland et al [63] Vaiksaar et al [65] Quinn et al [58] Schaumberg et al [62] Lynch and Nimmo [52] Bushman et al [39] Bell et al [37] Mattu et al [68] Giacomoni et al [22] Gordon et al [45] Drake et al [41] Wirth and Lohman. [66] Minahan et al [55] Bemben et al [38] Isacco et al [49] Sarwar et al [18] Giacomoni and Falgairette [43] Effect size effect that was very close to zero, indicating that exogenous supplementation of oestrogen and progestin is unlikely to have any substantive effect on exercise performance across an OCP cycle.…”

Lipin-1 Deficiency-Associated Recurrent Rhabdomyolysis and Exercise-Induced Myalgia Persisting into Adulthood: A Case Report and Review of Literature

“…A few case reports have reported co-trimoxazole as a potential trigger of RML [14,15]. Even though endogenous estrogen appears to attenuate muscle damage in animals, women taking oral contraceptives, thereby having higher exogenous estrogen levels with lower endogenous estrogen levels, appear to be more susceptible to exerciseinduced muscle damage and have an attenuated recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage [16][17][18]. ere are a few case reports of RML developing after administration of diclofenac sodium, but RML following administration of mefenamic acid has not been reported [19][20][21].…”

The Specificities of Elite Female Athletes: A Multidisciplinary Approach

“…In some studies, COC use was reported to increase total and LDL cholesterol [ 30 , 36 , 67 , 379 ], with elevated chronic low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress that could be detrimental to physical activity and elevate cardiovascular risk [ 401 ], such as basal CRP [ 379 , 380 ] alone [ 380 ] or combined with TNFα [ 379 ]. During exercise, an increase in CK [ 402 , 403 ] and a decrease in IL-6 with COCs vs. F was reported in moderate-level athletes [ 350 ], although this was blunted in elite female athletes [ 380 ]. No other cytokine change was found in either temperate or hot conditions [ 381 ], but COC users vs. non-users were reported to have an impaired sweating onset threshold and thermosensitivity [ 404 ].…”