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Shahid W, Noor R, Bashir MS. Effects of exercise on sex steroid hormones (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone) in eumenorrheic females: A systematic to review and meta-analysis. BMC Womens Health 2024; 24:354. [PMID: 38890710 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-024-03203-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The sex steroid hormones fluctuate during the menstrual cycle, which affects the strength and postural stability of females and leads to injuries and risk of falls. These hormones may be modulated by exercise to impact the overall health of females. OBJECTIVE To determine the effects of exercise on sex steroid hormones in eumenorrheic females. METHODS This review was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses(PRISMA) guidelines in Lahore, Pakistan. The full-length articles were searched using these databases/search engines (PubMed, Web of Science and Google Scholar, Sci-Hub). Randomized controlled trials along with single group experimental studies were also included. All types of exercises were compared with no exercise in the control group. The Cochrane Risk of Bias assessment tool assessed and screened the articles. The data were then analyzed. The primary outcomes were the levels of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. RESULTS Eleven studies were included (5 randomized controlled trials and 6 quasi-experimental studies). The effects of exercise on free estradiol concentration and serum progesterone level were not significant [p = 0.37 (SMD = 0.33, 95% CI = 0.14 to 0.74, I2 = 0%) and p = 0.84 (S.D= -0.65, C.I= -6.92 to 5.62, I2 = 94%)] respectively, whereas, the effects on testosterone levels were significant [p value < 0.00001 (M.D = 0.89, 95% C.I= -2.16 to 3.95, I2 = 94%)]. CONCLUSION A blinded randomized controlled trial should be conducted in which a structured approach should be followed by women along with warm-ups, cool down and rest intervals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER The systematic review was registered prospectively on PROSPERO with registration number CRD42023473767.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wajiha Shahid
- Riphah College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Riphah International University, Lahore Campus, Lahore, 54600, Pakistan.
| | - Rabiya Noor
- Riphah College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Riphah International University, Lahore Campus, Lahore, 54600, Pakistan
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2
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Klusmann H, Schulze L, Engel S, Bücklein E, Daehn D, Lozza-Fiacco S, Geiling A, Meyer C, Andersen E, Knaevelsrud C, Schumacher S. HPA axis activity across the menstrual cycle - a systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. Front Neuroendocrinol 2022; 66:100998. [PMID: 35597328 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2022.100998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Differential HPA axis function has been proposed to underlie sex-differences in mental disorders; however, the impact of fluctuating sex hormones across the menstrual cycle on HPA axis activity is still unclear. This meta-analysis investigated basal cortisol concentrations as a marker for HPA axis activity across the menstrual cycle. Through a systematic literature search of five databases, 121 longitudinal studies were included, summarizing data of 2641 healthy, cycling participants between the ages of 18 and 45. The meta-analysis showed higher cortisol concentrations in the follicular vs. luteal phase (dSMC = 0.12, p =.004, [0.04 - 0.20]). Comparisons between more precise cycle phases were mostly insignificant, aside from higher concentrations in the menstrual vs. premenstrual phase (dSMC = 0.17, [0.02 - 0.33], p =.03). In all included studies, nine samples used established cortisol parameters to indicate HPA axis function, specifically diurnal profiles (k = 4) and the cortisol awakening response (CAR) (k = 5). Therefore, the meta-analysis highlights the need for more rigorous investigation of HPA axis activity and menstrual cycle phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Klusmann
- Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Schwendenerstraße 27, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Lars Schulze
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Habelschwerdter Allee 45, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Sinha Engel
- Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Schwendenerstraße 27, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Elise Bücklein
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology and Education, Universität Ulm, Lise-Meitner-Str. 16, 89081 Ulm, Germany.
| | - Daria Daehn
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Habelschwerdter Allee 45, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Serena Lozza-Fiacco
- School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Carolina Crossings Building B, 2218 Nelson Highway, 27517 Chapel Hill, USA.
| | - Angelika Geiling
- Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Schwendenerstraße 27, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Caroline Meyer
- Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Schwendenerstraße 27, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Elizabeth Andersen
- School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Carolina Crossings Building B, 2218 Nelson Highway, 27517 Chapel Hill, USA.
| | - Christine Knaevelsrud
- Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Schwendenerstraße 27, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Sarah Schumacher
- Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Schwendenerstraße 27, 14195 Berlin, Germany; Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health, HMU Health and Medical University, Olympischer Weg 1, 14471 Potsdam, Germany.
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3
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Jia R, Carlisle S, Vedhara K. The Association of Lifestyle and Mood with Long-Term Levels of Cortisol: A Systematic Review. COGENT PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/23311908.2022.2036487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ru Jia
- School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Sophie Carlisle
- School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Kavita Vedhara
- School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
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Swain CTV, Drummond AE, Boing L, Milne RL, English DR, Brown KA, van Roekel EH, Dixon-Suen SC, Lynch MJ, Moore MM, Gaunt TR, Martin RM, Lewis SJ, Lynch BM. Linking Physical Activity to Breast Cancer via Sex Hormones, Part 1: The Effect of Physical Activity on Sex Steroid Hormones. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2022; 31:16-27. [PMID: 34670800 PMCID: PMC7612605 DOI: 10.1158/1055-9965.epi-21-0437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The effect of physical activity on breast cancer risk may be partly mediated by sex steroid hormones. This review synthesized and appraised the evidence for an effect of physical activity on sex steroid hormones. Systematic searches were performed using MEDLINE (Ovid), EMBASE (Ovid), and SPORTDiscus to identify experimental studies and prospective cohort studies that examined physical activity and estrogens, progestins, and/or androgens, as well as sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and glucocorticoids in pre- and postmenopausal women. Meta-analyses were performed to generate effect estimates. Risk of bias was assessed, and the GRADE system was used to appraise quality of the evidence. Twenty-eight randomized controlled trials (RCT), 81 nonrandomized interventions, and six observational studies were included. Estrogens, progesterone, and androgens mostly decreased, and SHBG increased, in response to physical activity. Effect sizes were small, and evidence quality was graded moderate or high for each outcome. Reductions in select sex steroid hormones following exercise supports the biological plausibility of the first part of the physical activity-sex hormone-breast cancer pathway. The confirmed effect of physical activity on decreasing circulating sex steroid hormones supports its causal role in preventing breast cancer.See related reviews by Lynch et al., p. 11 and Drummond et al., p. 28.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ann E Drummond
- Cancer Epidemiology Division, Cancer Council Victoria, Victoria, Australia
| | - Leonessa Boing
- Laboratory of Research in Leisure and Physical Activity, Santa Catarina State University, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Roger L Milne
- Cancer Epidemiology Division, Cancer Council Victoria, Victoria, Australia
- Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Precision Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Dallas R English
- Cancer Epidemiology Division, Cancer Council Victoria, Victoria, Australia
- Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kristy A Brown
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Eline H van Roekel
- Department of Epidemiology, GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Suzanne C Dixon-Suen
- Cancer Epidemiology Division, Cancer Council Victoria, Victoria, Australia
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Michael J Lynch
- Nambour Heights Family Medical, Nambour, Queensland, Australia
| | - Melissa M Moore
- Medical Oncology, St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tom R Gaunt
- Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Richard M Martin
- Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah J Lewis
- Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Brigid M Lynch
- Cancer Epidemiology Division, Cancer Council Victoria, Victoria, Australia.
- Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Impact of Training Protocols on Lifting Velocity Recovery in Resistance Trained Males and Females. Sports (Basel) 2021; 9:sports9110157. [PMID: 34822356 PMCID: PMC8618037 DOI: 10.3390/sports9110157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been suggested that sex differences exist in recovery following strength training. This study aimed to investigate the differences in recovery kinetics between resistance trained males and females following two different back squat (BSq) protocols. The first protocol (eight females and eight males) consisted of five sets of five repetitions at 80% of their one-repetition maximum (1RM) in the BSq (SMRT), while the second (seven females and eight males) consisted of five sets to muscular failure (MF) with a 4–6RM load (RMRT). The recovery was quantified with the mean concentric velocity (MV) at 80% of the 1RM immediately before and 5 min, 24, 48, and 72 h after the training protocol. Following the SMRT, a significant between-sex difference, favoring the females, was observed at 5 min, 24 h, and 48 h following the SMRT (p < 0.05, Effect Size (ES) = 1.01–2.25). Following the RMRT, only the males experienced a significant drop in performance after 5 min compared to the baseline (p = 0.025, ES = 1.34). However, no sex differences were observed at any timepoint (p > 0.05). These results suggest that males experienced more fatigue than females following a protocol where the volume relative to the 1RM was matched, while no differences in fatigue were evident following a protocol in which multiple sets were performed to MF.
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Ikarashi K, Sato D, Iguchi K, Baba Y, Yamashiro K. Menstrual Cycle Modulates Motor Learning and Memory Consolidation in Humans. Brain Sci 2020; 10:brainsci10100696. [PMID: 33019607 PMCID: PMC7599572 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10100696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 09/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous studies have noted that sex and/or menstrual phase influences cognitive performance (in particular, declarative memory), but the effects on motor learning (ML) and procedural memory/consolidation remain unclear. In order to test the hypothesis that ML differs across menstrual cycle phases, initial ML, overlearning, consolidation, and final performance were assessed in women in the follicular, preovulation and luteal phases. Primary motor cortex (M1) oscillations were assessed neuro-physiologically, and premenstrual syndrome and interoceptive awareness scores were assessed psychologically. We found not only poorer performance gain through initial ML but also lower final performance after overlearning a day and a week later in the luteal group than in the ovulation group. This behavioral difference could be explained by particular premenstrual syndrome symptoms and associated failure of normal M1 excitability in the luteal group. In contrast, the offline effects, i.e., early and late consolidation, did not differ across menstrual cycle phases. These results provide information regarding the best time in which to start learning new sensorimotor skills to achieve expected gains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koyuki Ikarashi
- Field of Health and Sports, Graduate School of Niigata University of Health and Welfare, 1398 Shimami-cho, Kita-Ku, Niigata City 950-3198, Japan; (K.I.); (K.I.)
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, 1398 Shimami-cho, Kita-Ku, Niigata City 950-3198, Japan;
| | - Daisuke Sato
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, 1398 Shimami-cho, Kita-Ku, Niigata City 950-3198, Japan;
- Department of Health and Sports, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, 1398 Shimami-cho, Kita-Ku, Niigata City 950-3198, Japan;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-25-257-4624
| | - Kaho Iguchi
- Field of Health and Sports, Graduate School of Niigata University of Health and Welfare, 1398 Shimami-cho, Kita-Ku, Niigata City 950-3198, Japan; (K.I.); (K.I.)
| | - Yasuhiro Baba
- Department of Health and Sports, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, 1398 Shimami-cho, Kita-Ku, Niigata City 950-3198, Japan;
| | - Koya Yamashiro
- Institute for Human Movement and Medical Sciences, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, 1398 Shimami-cho, Kita-Ku, Niigata City 950-3198, Japan;
- Department of Health and Sports, Niigata University of Health and Welfare, 1398 Shimami-cho, Kita-Ku, Niigata City 950-3198, Japan;
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7
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Blagrove RC, Bruinvels G, Pedlar CR. Variations in strength-related measures during the menstrual cycle in eumenorrheic women: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Sci Med Sport 2020; 23:1220-1227. [PMID: 32456980 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2020.04.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Revised: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To systematically review the current body of research that has investigated changes in strength-related variables during different phases of the menstrual cycle in eumenorrheic women. DESIGN Systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS A literature search was conducted in Pubmed, SPORTDiscus and Web of Science using search terms related to the menstrual cycle and strength-related measures. Two reviewers reached consensus that 21 studies met the criteria for inclusion. Methodological rigour was assessed using the Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies. Random effects meta-analyses were used to compare the early-follicular, ovulatory and mid-luteal phases for maximal voluntary contraction, isokinetic peak torque, and explosive strength. RESULTS The assessment of study quality showed that a high level of bias exists in specific areas of study design. Non-significant and small or trivial effect sizes (p≥0.26, Hedges g≤0.35) were identified for all strength-related variables in each comparison between phases. 95% confidence intervals for each comparison suggested the uncertainty associated with each estimate extends to a small effect on strength performance with unclear direction (-0.42≤g≤0.48). The heterogeneity for each comparison was also small (p≥0.83, I2=0%). CONCLUSIONS Strength-related measures appear to be minimally altered (g≤0.35) by the fluctuations in ovarian sex hormones that occur during the menstrual cycle. This finding should be interpreted with caution due to the methodological shortcomings identified by the quality assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard C Blagrove
- School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Leicestershire, United Kingdom.
| | - Georgie Bruinvels
- School of Sport, Health and Applied Science, St Mary's University, Twickenham, United Kingdom; Orreco Ltd, National University of Ireland Business Innovation Centre, Galway, Ireland
| | - Charles R Pedlar
- School of Sport, Health and Applied Science, St Mary's University, Twickenham, United Kingdom; Orreco Ltd, National University of Ireland Business Innovation Centre, Galway, Ireland; Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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8
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Vannuccini S, Fondelli F, Clemenza S, Galanti G, Petraglia F. Dysmenorrhea and Heavy Menstrual Bleeding in Elite Female Athletes: Quality of Life and Perceived Stress. Reprod Sci 2020; 27:888-894. [DOI: 10.1007/s43032-019-00092-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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9
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Hamidovic A, Karapetyan K, Serdarevic F, Choi SH, Eisenlohr-Moul T, Pinna G. Higher Circulating Cortisol in the Follicular vs. Luteal Phase of the Menstrual Cycle: A Meta-Analysis. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:311. [PMID: 32582024 PMCID: PMC7280552 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.00311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Although results of animal research show that interactions between stress and sex hormones are implicated in the development of affective disorders in women, translation of these findings to patients has been scarce. As a basic step toward advancing this field of research, we analyzed findings of studies which reported circulating cortisol levels in healthy women in the follicular vs. luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. We deemed this analysis critical not only to advance our understanding of basic physiology, but also as an important contrast to the findings of future studies evaluating stress and sex hormones in women with affective disorders. We hypothesized that cortisol levels would be lower in the follicular phase based on the proposition that changes in levels of potent GABAergic neurosteroids, including allopregnanolone, during the menstrual cycle dynamically change in the opposite direction relative to cortisol levels. Implementing strict inclusion criteria, we compiled results of high-quality studies involving 778 study participants to derive a standardized mean difference between circulating cortisol levels in the follicular vs. luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. In line with our hypothesis, our meta-analysis found that women in the follicular phase had higher cortisol levels than women in the luteal phase, with an overall Hedges' g of 0.13 (p < 0.01) for the random effects model. No significant between-study difference was detected, with the level of heterogeneity in the small range. Furthermore, there was no evidence of publication bias. As cortisol regulation is a delicate process, we review some of the basic mechanisms by which progesterone, its potent metabolites, and estradiol regulate cortisol output and circulation to contribute to the net effect of higher cortisol in the follicular phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajna Hamidovic
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
- *Correspondence: Ajna Hamidovic
| | - Kristina Karapetyan
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Fadila Serdarevic
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - So Hee Choi
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Tory Eisenlohr-Moul
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Graziano Pinna
- The Psychiatric Institute, Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
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Eklund D, Schumann M, Kraemer WJ, Izquierdo M, Taipale RS, Häkkinen K. Acute Endocrine and Force Responses and Long-Term Adaptations to Same-Session Combined Strength and Endurance Training in Women. J Strength Cond Res 2016; 30:164-75. [DOI: 10.1519/jsc.0000000000001022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Maïmoun L, Georgopoulos NA, Sultan C. Endocrine disorders in adolescent and young female athletes: impact on growth, menstrual cycles, and bone mass acquisition. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2014; 99:4037-50. [PMID: 24601725 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2013-3030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Puberty is a crucial period of dramatic hormonal changes, accelerated growth, attainment of reproductive capacity, and acquisition of peak bone mass. Participation in recreational physical activity is widely acknowledged to provide significant health benefits in this period. Conversely, intense training imposes several constraints, such as training stress and maintenance of very low body fat to maximize performance. Adolescent female athletes are therefore at risk of overtraining and/or poor dietary intake, which may have several consequences for endocrine function. The "adaptive" changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal, -adrenal, and somatotropic axes and the secretory role of the adipose tissue are reviewed, as are their effects on growth, menstrual cycles, and bone mass acquisition. DESIGN A systematic search on Medline between 1990 and 2013 was conducted using the following terms: "intense training," "physical activity," or "exercise" combined with "hormone," "endocrine," and "girls," "women," or "elite female athletes." All articles reporting on the endocrine changes related to intense training and their potential implications for growth, menstrual cycles, and bone mass acquisition were considered. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION Young female athletes present a high prevalence of menstrual disorders, including delayed menarche, oligomenorrhea, and amenorrhea, characterized by a high degree of variability according to the type of sport. Exercise-related reproductive dysfunction may have consequences for growth velocity and peak bone mass acquisition. Recent findings highlight the endocrine role of adipose tissue and energy balance in the regulation of homeostasis and reproductive function. A better understanding of the mechanisms whereby intense training affects the endocrine system may orient research to develop innovative strategies (ie, based on nutritional or pharmacological approaches and individualized modalities of training and competition) to improve the medical care of these adolescents and protect their reproductive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurent Maïmoun
- Service de Médecine Nucléaire (L.M.), Hôpital Lapeyronie, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire (CHRU) de Montpellier and Université Montpellier 1 (UM1), 34295 Montpellier, France; Département d'Hormonologie (L.M., C.S.), Hôpital Lapeyronie, CHRU Montpellier, 34295 Montpellier, France; Physiologie et Médecine Expérimentale du Cœur et des Muscles (L.M.), INSERM Unité 1046, Université Montpellier 1 (UM1) and Université Montpellier 2 (UM2), 34295 Montpellier, France; Division of Reproductive Endocrinology (N.A.G.), Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Patras Medical School, University Hospital, Patras 265 04, Greece; and Unité d'Endocrinologie et Gynécologie Pédiatrique (C.S.), Département de Pédiatrie, Hôpital Arnaud de Villeneuve, CHRU Montpellier et UM1, 34295 Montpellier, France
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12
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Boisseau N, Enea C, Diaz V, Dugué B, Corcuff JB, Duclos M. Oral contraception but not menstrual cycle phase is associated with increased free cortisol levels and low hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis reactivity. J Endocrinol Invest 2013; 36:955-64. [PMID: 23698556 DOI: 10.3275/8971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In females, estrogen is a potential modulator of cortisol response to stressors. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of menstrual cycle phase, oral contraception (OC) use and exercise training on hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity and reactivity after physical stress. AIM We investigated the effects of the menstrual cycle and OC use on exhaustive exerciseinduced changes in free salivary cortisol concentrations and free urinary cortisol/cortisone excretion in healthy young women. MATERIALS AND SUBJECTS Twenty-eight women were allocated to an untrained group (no.=16) or a trained group (no.=12), depending on their physical training background. The untrained group was composed of nine OC users (UNTOC+) and seven eumenorrheic women (UNT-OC-) tested in the follicular and luteal phases, while the trained group was entirely composed of OC+ subjects (T-OC+). METHODS Three laboratory sessions were conducted in a randomised order: a prolonged exercise test, a short-term exercise test, and a control session. For each session, urine and saliva specimens were collected at rest (09:00 h) and then, 30, 60 and 90 min later. RESULTS Estradiol fluctuation during the menstrual cycle phase did not alter free cortisol baseline values and responses to exercise. OC use was associated with increased free resting salivary concentrations and urinary cortisol excretion with blunted salivary cortisol response to prolonged exercise stimulation. No training effect was noted. CONCLUSIONS OC but not menstrual cycle phase is associated with increased free cortisol levels and low HPA axis reactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Boisseau
- Laboratoire des Adaptations Métaboliques à l'Exercice en Conditions Physiologiques et Pathologiques, BP 10448, Clermont University, University of Blaise Pascal, EA 3533, Clermont-Ferrand, France
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