Understanding the female athlete: molecular mechanisms underpinning menstrual phase differences in exercise metabolism

Oosthuyse, Tanja; Strauss, Juliette A.; Hackney, Anthony C.

doi:10.1007/s00421-022-05090-3

Cited by 27 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 166 publications

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“…The lack of change in serum insulin within OC phases and across time points may be in part due to a reduction in insulin sensitivity induced by ethinyl estradiol and progestin (52). Higher plasma triglycerides in LUT when compared with FOL could be attributed to estrogen-mediated increase in lipid availability (12) but it had no measurable phasal effect on RER nor Fat ox in our study.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 51%

“…For instance, estrogen is associated with decreased glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis and increased lipolysis, which collectively reduces CHO oxidation, whereas progesterone is observed to exert antiestrogenic effects (11). The molecular mechanisms that underpin MC phase differences in substrate metabolism have been comprehensively reviewed by Oosthuyse et al (12), and the reader is referred to Stricker et al (13) for an overview of the natural variations in ovarian hormone profiles within an MC.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Fatigue Resistance Is Altered during the High-Hormone Phase of Eumenorrheic Females but not Oral Contraceptive Users

Lee,

Sim,

Van Rens

et al. 2023

Medicine &Amp; Science in Sports &Amp; Exercise

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Purpose To examine the effect of ovarian hormones and their synthetic equivalents on substrate utilisation and fatigue resistance during a race-specific cycling protocol. Methods 17 well-trained female cyclists (9 eumenorrheic females, 8 oral contraceptive users), completed two experimental trials, in a randomised order, in their low (follicular/sugar pill) and high-hormone (luteal/active pill) phases. Each 91-min trial consisted of a 45-min moderate-intensity component (SMC) followed by 6-min of high-intensity (HIT) and then a fatigue resistance test (FRT): 6x1-min all-out efforts with 1-min active recovery. Meals, comprising carbohydrate (CHO) intake of 8 g.kg-1 body mass, were standardised 24-h pre-trial. An electrolyte-only solution was provided ad-libitum during each trial. Results In eumenorrheic females, a large reduction in average power during FRT was observed in the luteal phase (277 ± 31 vs. 287 ± 33 W; P = 0.032). Greater CHOox (~ 4 %, P = 0.020) during SMC and ventilatory inefficiencies during SMC and HIT (~ 7 %, P < 0.001) were also observed in the luteal phase. In OC users, despite some phasal changes in cardiorespiratory and metabolic data in SMC (~6% higher blood glucose and ~ 2% higher minute ventilation in active pill phase), none of the performance parameters in the FRT were different. Conclusions Fatigue resistance was compromised only in high-hormone phase of the menstrual cycle, with eumenorrheic females likely susceptible due to increased CHO utilisation during SMC. Hormone-induced ventilatory inefficiencies may also have increased metabolic demand. These findings emphasise the need to maintain CHO availability for power production, particularly in high-hormone phases.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 51%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Fatigue Resistance Is Altered during the High-Hormone Phase of Eumenorrheic Females but not Oral Contraceptive Users

Lee,

Sim,

Van Rens

et al. 2023

Medicine &Amp; Science in Sports &Amp; Exercise

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“…However, we do acknowledge that the aforementioned study only investigated the moderate intensity domain, and therefore might not apply to V□O 2 kinetics in the heavy intensity domain. In the heavy intensity domain, contributing factors to the V□O 2 slow component (e.g., substrate utilisation) might be affected by hormonal status, although the available evidence is conflicting (Oosthuyse et al ., 2023). Therefore, further research is required to determine whether endogenous and exogenous hormones influence the oxidative response to high-intensity exercise.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

No sex differences in oxygen uptake or extraction kinetics in the moderate or heavy exercise intensity domains

Solleiro Pons,

Bernert,

Hume

et al. 2023

Preprint

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The integrative response to exercise differs between sexes, with oxidative energy provision purported as a potential mechanism. However, there is a lack of systematic investigation into the kinetics of oxygen uptake (V̇O2) and extraction (HHb+Mb) during exercise in both sexes. Sixteen young adults (8 females, age: 27±5 years) completed three experimental visits. Incremental exercise testing was performed to obtain lactate threshold and V̇O2peak. Subsequent visits involved three six-minute cycling bouts at 80% of lactate threshold and one 30-minute bout at a work rate 30% between the lactate threshold and maximal ramp test power. Pulmonary gas exchange and near-infrared spectroscopy continuously sampled V̇O2 and HHb+Mb, respectively. The mean of six moderate and two heavy intensity transitions were modelled with mono-exponential curves to quantify the phase II response to exercise. Slow component amplitudes were also quantified for the heavy intensity domain. Males and females demonstrated similar relative V̇O2peak values (46.2±6.6 vs 40.5±6.7 ml.kg-1.min-1, p=0.111), with males achieving ~30% greater power outputs (p=0.002). In both the moderate and heavy intensity domains, the relative amplitude of the phase II transition was similar between sexes for V̇O2 (p≥0.179) and HHb+Mb (p≥0.193). Similarly, there were no sex differences in the time constants for V̇O2 (p≥0.385) or HHb+Mb (p≥0.274). In the heavy intensity domain, neither V̇O2 (p≥0.686) or HHb+Mb (p≥0.432) slow component amplitudes were different between sexes. The oxidative response to moderate and heavy intensity exercise did not differ between males and females, suggesting both sexes experience similar degrees of bioenergetic stress during intensity-matched exercise.

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“…In case the experimental sessions are scheduled 21 to 28 days apart, participants will be required to perform a familiarization session 2 weeks after the preceding (and 1 to 2 weeks before the following) experimental session to avoid defamiliarization. To avoid the variation in insulin sensitivity across the menstrual cycle [35][36][37][38][39][40][41], in case premenopausal women are included in the sample, they will be assessed in the follicular phase (days 1-14) [16,27,[42][43][44] of their menstrual cycle. Two of the sessions will be performed with strength exercises: high-volume session: 3 sets per exercise; low-volume session: 1 set per exercise; and a control session: no exercise.…”

Section: Trial Design {8}mentioning

confidence: 99%

The SmartRX trial: Acute effectS of manipulating stRength eXercise volume on insulin sensitivity in overweight/obese adults: a protocol for a randomized controlled, crossover, clinical trial

Silva,

Garcia,

Esteves

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a disease in which insulin action on sensitive tissues is impaired, and even an acute bout of strength exercise can cause positive changes on insulin sensitivity. Current guidelines for strength exercise prescription suggest that 8 to 30 sets should be performed, although it is not known how such variations in volume impact insulin action. Additionally, this means an almost 4-fold difference in time commitment, which might directly impact an individual’s motivation and perceived capacity to exercise. This study will assess the effects of different strength exercise volumes on insulin sensitivity. Methods: Fourteen overweight/obese individuals of both sexes who are over 35 years old will undergo 3 experimental sessions in a random order, with a minimum washout period of 4 days between them, after being thoroughly familiarized with the procedures: Session 1: high-volume (7 exercises, 3 sets per exercise, 21 total sets)]; Session 2: low-volume (7 exercises, 1 set per exercise, 7 total sets); Session 3: control session, where no exercise will be performed. Psychological assessment (affect, enjoyment, and self-efficacy) will be performed after the sessions. All sessions will be held at night, and the next morning, an oral glucose tolerance test will be performed in a local laboratory, from which indexes of insulin sensitivity will be derived. Discussion: We believe this study will aid in strength exercise prescription for those individuals who claim not to have time to exercise and to those who perceive high-volume strength exercise intimidating to adhere to. Trial registration: Clinical trial registry number: ReBEC #RBR-3vj5dc5 (https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-3vj5dc5) World Health Organization Universal Trial Number (UTN): U1111-1287-9212 Open Science Framework (OSF): https://osf.io/4gu87/

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Understanding the female athlete: molecular mechanisms underpinning menstrual phase differences in exercise metabolism

Abstract: The version presented here may differ from the published version or from the version of the record. Please see the repository URL above for details on accessing the published version and note that access may require a subscription.

Cited by 27 publications

References 166 publications

Fatigue Resistance Is Altered during the High-Hormone Phase of Eumenorrheic Females but not Oral Contraceptive Users

Fatigue Resistance Is Altered during the High-Hormone Phase of Eumenorrheic Females but not Oral Contraceptive Users

No sex differences in oxygen uptake or extraction kinetics in the moderate or heavy exercise intensity domains

The SmartRX trial: Acute effectS of manipulating stRength eXercise volume on insulin sensitivity in overweight/obese adults: a protocol for a randomized controlled, crossover, clinical trial

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