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Rodriguez LA, Casey E, Crossley E, Williams N, Dhaher YY. The hormonal profile in women using combined monophasic oral contraceptive pills varies across the pill cycle: a temporal analysis of serum endogenous and exogenous hormones using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectroscopy. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2024; 327:E121-E133. [PMID: 38775726 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00418.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
Oral contraceptive pills, of all types, are used by approximately 151 million women worldwide; however, a clear understanding of the concentrations of endogenous and exogenous hormones across a 28-day combination monophasic oral contraceptive pill pack is not well described. In our study of 14 female participants taking various combination monophasic oral contraceptive pills, we found significant fluctuations in endogenous and exogenous hormone levels throughout the pill cycle. Our analysis revealed significantly greater levels of ethinyl estradiol on the 20th and 21st days of active pill ingestion, compared with days 1-2 (active) and days 27-28 (inactive pill ingestion). Conversely, estradiol concentrations decreased during active pill consumption, while progestin and progesterone levels remained stable. During the 7 days of inactive pill ingestion, estradiol levels rose sharply and were significantly higher at days 27-28 compared with the mid and late active phase time points, while ethinyl estradiol declined and progestin did not change. These findings challenge the previous assumption that endogenous and exogenous hormones are stable throughout the 28-day pill cycle.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The results from this study have wide-ranging implications for research and treatment in women's health including considerations in research design and interpretation for studies including women taking oral contraceptives, the potential for more precise and personalized methods of dosing to reduce unwanted side effects and adverse events, and the potential treatment of a variety of disorders ranging from musculoskeletal to neurological with exogenous hormones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis A Rodriguez
- Department of Bioengineering, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas, United States
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States
| | - Ellen Casey
- Department of Physiatry, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York, United States
| | - Eric Crossley
- Department of Biochemistry, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States
| | - Noelle Williams
- Department of Biochemistry, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States
| | - Yasin Y Dhaher
- Department of Bioengineering, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas, United States
- Department of Physiatry, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York, United States
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States
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Flood TR, Clausen E, Kuikman MA, Smith E, McKay AKA, Burke LM, Elliott-Sale KJ. Auditing the representation of hormonal contraceptives in studies assessing exercise performance in women. J Sports Sci 2024; 42:825-839. [PMID: 38896557 DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2024.2368762] [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: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Hormonal contraceptive (HC) users have a different ovarian hormonal profile compared to eumenorrheic women. Due to the prevalence of HC use amongst sportswomen, there has been increased research efforts to understand their impact on exercise performance. The aim was to audit this research. Studies identified were assessed for HC type, athlete calibre, performance outcome, study design, and quality of methodological control regarding ovarian hormonal profiles. Sixty-eight different HCs were reported across 61 studies. Monophasic combined oral contraceptive (OCP) pills represented 60% of HCs, followed by other pills [34%, phasic-combined, progestogen-only, and un-specified], phasic and long acting reversible contraceptives [5%, vaginal ring, patch, implant, injection, intrauterine system] and unspecified HCs (1%). Eleven percent of participants using HCs were classified as highly trained or elite/international with no participants being classed as world class. Whilst the number of studies involving HCs has increased two-fold over the past decade, the number of studies ranked as gold standard has not increased (HC; 2003-57%, 2011-55%, 2022-43%. OCP; 2003-14%, 2011-17%, 2022-12%). Future research assessing HCs and exercise performance should adopt high-quality research designs and include a broader range of HCs in highly trained to world-class populations to increase the reach and impact of research in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa R Flood
- Department of Sport and Exercise Science, Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport, Manchester, UK
| | - Emma Clausen
- Department of Sport and Exercise Science, Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport, Manchester, UK
| | - Megan A Kuikman
- Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ella Smith
- Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alannah K A McKay
- Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Louise M Burke
- Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kirsty J Elliott-Sale
- Department of Sport and Exercise Science, Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport, Manchester, UK
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Castanier C, Bougault V, Teulier C, Jaffré C, Schiano-Lomoriello S, Vibarel-Rebot N, Villemain A, Rieth N, Le-Scanff C, Buisson C, Collomp K. The Specificities of Elite Female Athletes: A Multidisciplinary Approach. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:622. [PMID: 34206866 PMCID: PMC8303304 DOI: 10.3390/life11070622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Female athletes have garnered considerable attention in the last few years as more and more women participate in sports events. However, despite the well-known repercussions of female sex hormones, few studies have investigated the specificities of elite female athletes. In this review, we present the current but still limited data on how normal menstrual phases, altered menstrual phases, and hormonal contraception affect both physical and cognitive performances in these elite athletes. To examine the implicated mechanisms, as well as the potential performances and health risks in this population, we then take a broader multidisciplinary approach and report on the causal/reciprocal relationships between hormonal status and mental and physical health in young (18-40 years) healthy females, both trained and untrained. We thus cover the research on both physiological and psychological variables, as well as on the Athlete Biological Passport used for anti-doping purposes. We consider the fairly frequent discrepancies and summarize the current knowledge in this new field of interest. Last, we conclude with some practical guidelines for eliciting improvements in physical and cognitive performance while minimizing the health risks for female athletes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carole Castanier
- CIAMS, Université Paris-Saclay, 91405 Orsay, France; (C.C.); (C.T.); (S.S.-L.); (N.V.-R.); (A.V.); (N.R.); (C.L.-S.)
- CIAMS, Université d’Orléans, 45067 Orléans, France
| | | | - Caroline Teulier
- CIAMS, Université Paris-Saclay, 91405 Orsay, France; (C.C.); (C.T.); (S.S.-L.); (N.V.-R.); (A.V.); (N.R.); (C.L.-S.)
- CIAMS, Université d’Orléans, 45067 Orléans, France
| | | | - Sandrine Schiano-Lomoriello
- CIAMS, Université Paris-Saclay, 91405 Orsay, France; (C.C.); (C.T.); (S.S.-L.); (N.V.-R.); (A.V.); (N.R.); (C.L.-S.)
- CIAMS, Université d’Orléans, 45067 Orléans, France
| | - Nancy Vibarel-Rebot
- CIAMS, Université Paris-Saclay, 91405 Orsay, France; (C.C.); (C.T.); (S.S.-L.); (N.V.-R.); (A.V.); (N.R.); (C.L.-S.)
- CIAMS, Université d’Orléans, 45067 Orléans, France
| | - Aude Villemain
- CIAMS, Université Paris-Saclay, 91405 Orsay, France; (C.C.); (C.T.); (S.S.-L.); (N.V.-R.); (A.V.); (N.R.); (C.L.-S.)
- CIAMS, Université d’Orléans, 45067 Orléans, France
| | - Nathalie Rieth
- CIAMS, Université Paris-Saclay, 91405 Orsay, France; (C.C.); (C.T.); (S.S.-L.); (N.V.-R.); (A.V.); (N.R.); (C.L.-S.)
- CIAMS, Université d’Orléans, 45067 Orléans, France
| | - Christine Le-Scanff
- CIAMS, Université Paris-Saclay, 91405 Orsay, France; (C.C.); (C.T.); (S.S.-L.); (N.V.-R.); (A.V.); (N.R.); (C.L.-S.)
- CIAMS, Université d’Orléans, 45067 Orléans, France
| | - Corinne Buisson
- Département des Analyses, AFLD, 92290 Chatenay-Malabry, France;
| | - Katia Collomp
- CIAMS, Université Paris-Saclay, 91405 Orsay, France; (C.C.); (C.T.); (S.S.-L.); (N.V.-R.); (A.V.); (N.R.); (C.L.-S.)
- CIAMS, Université d’Orléans, 45067 Orléans, France
- Département des Analyses, AFLD, 92290 Chatenay-Malabry, France;
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Wohlgemuth KJ, Arieta LR, Brewer GJ, Hoselton AL, Gould LM, Smith-Ryan AE. Sex differences and considerations for female specific nutritional strategies: a narrative review. J Int Soc Sports Nutr 2021; 18:27. [PMID: 33794937 PMCID: PMC8015182 DOI: 10.1186/s12970-021-00422-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Although there is a plethora of information available regarding the impact of nutrition on exercise performance, many recommendations are based on male needs due to the dominance of male participation in the nutrition and exercise science literature. Female participation in sport and exercise is prevalent, making it vital for guidelines to address the sex-specific nutritional needs. Female hormonal levels, such as estrogen and progesterone, fluctuate throughout the mensural cycle and lifecycle requiring more attention for effective nutritional considerations. Sex-specific nutritional recommendations and guidelines for the active female and female athlete have been lacking to date and warrant further consideration. This review provides a practical overview of key physiological and nutritional considerations for the active female. Available literature regarding sex-specific nutrition and dietary supplement guidelines for women has been synthesized, offering evidenced-based practical information that can be incorporated into the daily lives of women to improve performance, body composition, and overall health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kealey J Wohlgemuth
- Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Luke R Arieta
- Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Gabrielle J Brewer
- Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Andrew L Hoselton
- Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Lacey M Gould
- Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Abbie E Smith-Ryan
- Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
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Alfaro‐Magallanes VM, Barba‐Moreno L, Rael B, Romero‐Parra N, Rojo‐Tirado MA, Benito PJ, Swinkels DW, Laarakkers CM, Díaz ÁE, Peinado AB. Hepcidin response to interval running exercise is not affected by oral contraceptive phase in endurance-trained women. Scand J Med Sci Sports 2021; 31:643-652. [PMID: 33249618 PMCID: PMC7984293 DOI: 10.1111/sms.13894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 11/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The use of oral contraceptives (OCs) by female athletes may lead to improved iron status, possibly through the regulation of hepcidin by sex hormones. The present work investigates the response of hepcidin and interleukin-6 (IL-6) to an interval exercise in both phases of the OC cycle. Sixteen endurance-trained OC users (age 25.3 ± 4.7 years; height 162.4 ± 5.7 cm; body mass 56.0 ± 5.7 kg; body fat percentage 24.8 ± 6.0%; peak oxygen consumption [VO2peak ]: 47.4 ± 5.5 mL min-1 kg-1 ) followed an identical interval running protocol during the withdrawal and active pill phases of the OC cycle. This protocol consisted of 8 × 3 minutes bouts at 85% VO2peak speed with 90 seconds recovery intervals. Blood samples were collected pre-exercise, and at 0 hour, 3 hours, and 24 hours post-exercise. Pre-exercise 17β-estradiol was lower (P = .001) during the active pill than the withdrawal phase (7.91 ± 1.81 vs 29.36 ± 6.45 pg/mL [mean ± SEM]). No differences were seen between the OC phases with respect to hepcidin or IL-6 concentrations, whether taking all time points together or separately. However, within the withdrawal phase, hepcidin concentrations were higher at 3 hours post-exercise (3.33 ± 0.95 nmol/L) than at pre-exercise (1.04 ± 0.20 nmol/L; P = .005) and 0 hour post-exercise (1.41 ± 0.38 nmol/L; P = .045). Within both OC phases, IL-6 was higher at 0 hour post-exercise than at any other time point (P < .05). Similar trends in hepcidin and IL-6 concentrations were seen at the different time points during both OC phases. OC use led to low 17β-estradiol concentrations during the active pill phase but did not affect hepcidin. This does not, however, rule out estradiol affecting hepcidin levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Víctor M. Alfaro‐Magallanes
- LFE Research GroupDepartment of Health and Human PerformanceFaculty of Physical Activity and Sport SciencesUniversidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM)MadridSpain
| | - Laura Barba‐Moreno
- LFE Research GroupDepartment of Health and Human PerformanceFaculty of Physical Activity and Sport SciencesUniversidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM)MadridSpain
| | - Beatriz Rael
- LFE Research GroupDepartment of Health and Human PerformanceFaculty of Physical Activity and Sport SciencesUniversidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM)MadridSpain
| | - Nuria Romero‐Parra
- LFE Research GroupDepartment of Health and Human PerformanceFaculty of Physical Activity and Sport SciencesUniversidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM)MadridSpain
| | - Miguel A. Rojo‐Tirado
- LFE Research GroupDepartment of Health and Human PerformanceFaculty of Physical Activity and Sport SciencesUniversidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM)MadridSpain
| | - Pedro J. Benito
- LFE Research GroupDepartment of Health and Human PerformanceFaculty of Physical Activity and Sport SciencesUniversidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM)MadridSpain
| | - Dorine W. Swinkels
- Department of Laboratory MedicineTranslational Metabolic Laboratory (TML 830)Radboud University Medical CenterNijmegenThe Netherlands
- Hepcidinanalysis.comRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - Coby M. Laarakkers
- Department of Laboratory MedicineTranslational Metabolic Laboratory (TML 830)Radboud University Medical CenterNijmegenThe Netherlands
- Hepcidinanalysis.comRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - Ángel E. Díaz
- Clinical LaboratoryDepartment of National Center of Sport Medicine, Health and SportsAEPSADMadridSpain
| | - Ana B. Peinado
- LFE Research GroupDepartment of Health and Human PerformanceFaculty of Physical Activity and Sport SciencesUniversidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM)MadridSpain
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Elliott-Sale KJ, McNulty KL, Ansdell P, Goodall S, Hicks KM, Thomas K, Swinton PA, Dolan E. The Effects of Oral Contraceptives on Exercise Performance in Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Sports Med 2020; 50:1785-1812. [PMID: 32666247 PMCID: PMC7497464 DOI: 10.1007/s40279-020-01317-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) are double agents, which downregulate endogenous concentrations of oestradiol and progesterone whilst simultaneously providing daily supplementation of exogenous oestrogen and progestin during the OCP-taking days. This altered hormonal milieu differs significantly from that of eumenorrheic women and might impact exercise performance, due to changes in ovarian hormone-mediated physiological processes. OBJECTIVE To explore the effects of OCPs on exercise performance in women and to provide evidence-based performance recommendations to users. METHODS This review complied with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. A between-group analysis was performed, wherein performance of OCP users was compared with naturally menstruating women, and a within-group analysis was conducted, wherein performance during OCP consumption was compared with OCP withdrawal. For the between-group analysis, women were phase matched in two ways: (1) OCP withdrawal versus the early follicular phase of the menstrual cycle and (2) OCP consumption versus all phases of the menstrual cycle except for the early follicular phase. Study quality was assessed using a modified Downs and Black Checklist and a strategy based on the recommendations of the Grading of Recommendations Assessment Development and Evaluation working group. All meta-analyses were conducted within a Bayesian framework to facilitate probabilistic interpretations. RESULTS 42 studies and 590 participants were included. Most studies (83%) were graded as moderate, low or very low quality, with 17% achieving high quality. For the between-group meta-analysis comparing OCP users with naturally menstruating women, posterior estimates of the pooled effect were used to calculate the probability of at least a small effect (d ≥ 0.2). Across the two between-group comparison methods, the probability of a small effect on performance favouring habitual OCP users was effectually zero (p < 0.001). In contrast, the probability of a small effect on performance favouring naturally menstruating women was moderate under comparison method (1) (d ≥ 0.2; p = 0.40) and small under comparison method (2) (d ≥ 0.2; p = 0.19). Relatively large between-study variance was identified for both between-group comparisons ([Formula: see text]0.5 = 0.16 [95% credible interval (CrI) 0.01-0.44] and [Formula: see text]0.5 = 0.22 [95% CrI 0.06-0.45]). For the within-group analysis comparing OCP consumption with withdrawal, posterior estimates of the pooled effect size identified almost zero probability of a small effect on performance in either direction (d ≥ 0.2; p ≤ 0.001). CONCLUSIONS OCP use might result in slightly inferior exercise performance on average when compared to naturally menstruating women, although any group-level effect is most likely to be trivial. Practically, as effects tended to be trivial and variable across studies, the current evidence does not warrant general guidance on OCP use compared with non-use. Therefore, when exercise performance is a priority, an individualised approach might be more appropriate. The analysis also indicated that exercise performance was consistent across the OCP cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsty J Elliott-Sale
- Department of Sport Science, Sport Health and Performance Enhancement (SHAPE) Research Centre, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK.
| | - Kelly L McNulty
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK
| | - Paul Ansdell
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK
| | - Stuart Goodall
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK
| | - Kirsty M Hicks
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK
| | - Kevin Thomas
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK
| | - Paul A Swinton
- School of Health Sciences, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Eimear Dolan
- Applied Physiology and Nutrition Research Group, Escola de Educação Física e Esporte, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Hemmings TJ, Kendall KL, Dobson JL. Identifying Dosage Effect of Light-Emitting Diode Therapy on Muscular Fatigue in Quadriceps. J Strength Cond Res 2017; 31:395-402. [DOI: 10.1519/jsc.0000000000001523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
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Schaumberg MA, Jenkins DG, Janse de Jonge XAK, Emmerton LM, Skinner TL. Three-step method for menstrual and oral contraceptive cycle verification. J Sci Med Sport 2016; 20:965-969. [PMID: 28684053 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2016.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2016] [Revised: 07/08/2016] [Accepted: 07/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Fluctuating endogenous and exogenous ovarian hormones may influence exercise parameters; yet control and verification of ovarian hormone status is rarely reported and limits current exercise science and sports medicine research. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of an individualised three-step method in identifying the mid-luteal or high hormone phase in endogenous and exogenous hormone cycles in recreationally-active women and determine hormone and demographic characteristics associated with unsuccessful classification. DESIGN Cross-sectional study design. METHODS Fifty-four recreationally-active women who were either long-term oral contraceptive users (n=28) or experiencing regular natural menstrual cycles (n=26) completed step-wise menstrual mapping, urinary ovulation prediction testing and venous blood sampling for serum/plasma hormone analysis on two days, 6-12days after positive ovulation prediction to verify ovarian hormone concentrations. RESULTS Mid-luteal phase was successfully verified in 100% of oral contraceptive users, and 70% of naturally-menstruating women. Thirty percent of participants were classified as luteal phase deficient; when excluded, the success of the method was 89%. Lower age, body fat and longer menstrual cycles were significantly associated with luteal phase deficiency. CONCLUSIONS A step-wise method including menstrual cycle mapping, urinary ovulation prediction and serum/plasma hormone measurement was effective at verifying ovarian hormone status. Additional consideration of age, body fat and cycle length enhanced identification of luteal phase deficiency in physically-active women. These findings enable the development of stricter exclusion criteria for female participants in research studies and minimise the influence of ovarian hormone variations within sports and exercise science and medicine research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mia A Schaumberg
- School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, The University of Queensland, Australia; Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Australia.
| | - David G Jenkins
- School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, The University of Queensland, Australia
| | | | | | - Tina L Skinner
- School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, The University of Queensland, Australia
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Laurent CM, Vervaecke LS, Kutz MR, Green JM. Sex-specific responses to self-paced, high-intensity interval training with variable recovery periods. J Strength Cond Res 2014; 28:920-7. [PMID: 23838976 DOI: 10.1519/jsc.0b013e3182a1f574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
This study examined sex-specific responses during self-paced, high-intensity interval training (HIIT). Sixteen (8 men and 8 women) individuals completed a peak oxygen uptake test and 3 treadmill HIIT sessions on separate days. The HIIT sessions consisted of six 4-minute intervals performed at the highest self-selected intensity individuals felt they could maintain. Recovery between intervals was counterbalanced and consisted of 1-, 2-, or 4-minute recovery during each trial. Relative measures of intensity, including percentage of velocity at VO2peak (vVO2peak), %VO2peak, %HRmax, and blood lactate concentration ([La]), were observed during the trials. Perceived readiness was recorded immediately before and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded at the end of each interval with session RPE recorded after each trial. Results revealed a significant effect of sex on %vVO2peak (p < 0.01) and %HRmax (p < 0.01). Data show that across trials, men self-select higher %vVO2peak (84.5 vs. 80.7%), whereas women produce higher %HRmax (96.9 vs. 92.1%) and %VO2peak (89.6 vs. 86.1%) with no difference in [La] or perceptual responses. These findings support the notion that women may demonstrate improved recovery during high-intensity exercise, as they will self-select intensities resulting in greater cardiovascular strain. Moreover, results confirm previous findings suggesting that a 2:1 work-to-rest ratio is optimal during HIIT for both men and women.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Matthew Laurent
- 1School of Human Movement, Sport, and Leisure Studies, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio; 2Division of Applied Physiology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina; and 3Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, University of North Alabama, Florence, Alabama
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