Exercise V˙eand physical performance at altitude are not affected by menstrual cycle phase

Abstract

We hypothesized that progesterone-mediated ventilatory stimulation during the midluteal phase of the menstrual cycle would increase exercise minute ventilation (VE; l/min) at sea level (SL) and with acute altitude (AA) exposure but would only increase arterial O2 saturation (SaO2, %) with AA exposure. We further hypothesized that an increased exercise SaO2 with AA exposure would enhance O2 transport and improve both peak O2 uptake (VO2 peak; ml x kg-1 x min-1) and submaximal exercise time to exhaustion (Exh; min) in the midluteal phase. Eight female lowlanders [33 +/- 3 (mean +/- SD) yr, 58 +/- 6 kg] completed a VO2 peak and Exh test at 70% of their altitude-specific VO2 peak at SL and with AA exposure to 4,300 m in a hypobaric chamber (446 mmHg) in their early follicular and midluteal phases. Progesterone levels increased (P < 0.05) approximately 20-fold from the early follicular to midluteal phase at SL and AA. Peak VE (101 +/- 17) and submaximal VE (55 +/- 9) were not affected by cycle phase or altitude. Submaximal SaO2 did not differ between cycle phases at SL, but it was 3% higher during the midluteal phase with AA exposure. Neither VO2 peak nor Exh time was affected by cycle phase at SL or AA. We conclude that, despite significantly increased progesterone levels in the midluteal phase, exercise VE is not increased at SL or AA. Moreover, neither maximal nor submaximal exercise performance is affected by menstrual cycle phase at SL or AA.

Applied Physiology of Female Soccer: An Update

“…These effects have received a limited amount of research attention and the findings to date have been unclear. VO2max appears to be largely unaffected by the phase of the menstrual cycle [80,81]. However, some studies have shown increased minute ventilation [39,[82][83][84], heart rate [84][85][86] and rating of perceived exertion [84,85] during the luteal phase, which could be attributed to an increased core temperature (0.3 -0.5 °C) during this phase [84].…”

Influence of menstrual phase on ventilatory response to submaximal exercise

“…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. 2 Others view an increased ventilatory response to hypoxia and hypercapnia or to exercise to be deleterious for athletic performance due to the heightened sensation of conclusions. The change in ventilatory parameters from EF to ML phase is related to the ovarian hormone concentrations.…”

“…4 However, this is not consistently reported, as a recent study did not find an increase in chemosensitivty in the mid-luteal (ML) phase compared with the early follicular (EF) phase. 2 Furthermore, an increase in body temperature is also known to elevate VE and thus the elevated body temperature associated with the luteal phase may also contribute to the observed hyperventilation. 11 The effect of elevated progesterone levels on VE during exercise remains equivocal.…”

“…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.…”

“…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. 2 Others view an increased ventilatory response to hypoxia and hypercapnia or to exercise to be deleterious for athletic performance due to the heightened sensation of conclusions.…”