Influence of menstrual cycle on muscle glycogen utilization during high-intensity intermittent exercise until exhaustion in healthy women

Abstract

The present study investigated the effects of the menstrual cycle on muscle glycogen and circulating substrates during high-intensity intermittent exercise until exhaustion in healthy women who habitually exercised. In total, 11 women with regular menstrual cycles completed three tests, which comprised the early follicular phase (E-FP), late follicular phase (L-FP), and luteal phase (LP) of the menstrual cycle. High-intensity intermittent exercise until exhaustion was performed on each test day. Evaluation of muscle glycogen concentration by 13C-magnetic resonance spectroscopy and measurement of estradiol, progesterone, blood glucose, lactate, free fatty acids (FFA), and insulin concentrations were conducted before exercise (Pre) and immediately after exercise (Post). Muscle glycogen concentrations from thigh muscles at Pre and Post were not significantly different between menstrual cycle phases ( P = 0.57). Muscle glycogen decreases by exercise were significantly greater in L-FP (59.0 ± 12.4 mM) than in E-FP (48.3 ± 14.4 mM, P < 0.05). Nonetheless, blood glucose, blood lactate, serum FFA, serum insulin concentrations, and exercise time until exhaustion in E-FP, L-FP, and LP were similar. The study results suggest that although exercise time does not change according to the menstrual cycle, the menstrual cycle influences muscle glycogen utilization during high-intensity intermittent exercise until exhaustion in women with habitual exercise activity. Novelty: This study compared changes in muscle glycogen concentration across the menstrual cycle during high-intensity intermittent exercise until exhaustion using 13C-magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Our results highlight the influence of the menstrual cycle on muscle glycogen during high-intensity intermittent exercise in healthy women.

Muscle Glycogen Assessment and Relationship with Body Hydration Status: A Narrative Review

“…13 C MRS is an attractive method for repeated measurement of glycogen in skeletal muscle, liver, and brain in a wide range of individuals, including women, children, and athletes, because of its non-invasiveness ( Figure 1 ) [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 ]. However, the main disadvantage of 13 C MRS is the low natural abundance of 13 C (1.1%) and the resulting relatively low sensitivity.…”

Skeletal muscle mechanisms contributing to improved glycemic control following intense interval exercise and training

“…Females use less muscle glycogen during high-intensity exercise, 110 , 111 , 112 and AMPK activity is reportedly blunted following work-matched exercise when compared to males. 113 Relatedly, muscle glycogen use during HIIT can vary across the menstrual cycle, 114 with greater glycogen use observed during the early-as opposed to late-follicular phase. The menstrual cycle phase has not been controlled for in many studies examining glycemic responses to HIIT/SIT, which may confound the interpretation of findings.…”

Type 1 Diabetes and the Menstrual Cycle: Where/How Does Exercise Fit in?

“…As for muscle glycogen use, it seems that although there may not be a significant difference between menstrual cycle phases in response to aerobic exercise [53], anaerobic/highintensity exercise may elicit a difference in muscle glycogen use between the two phases. One interventional study on physically active eumenorrheic women (n = 11) performing high-intensity intermittent exercise until exhaustion showed greater muscle glycogen use (measured by 13 C-magnetic resonance spectroscopy) during the late follicular compared to the early follicular phase [54]. Estrogen levels and muscle glycogen use were found to be positively correlated, suggesting that estrogen increased reliance on glycogen at high intensities [54].…”

“…One interventional study on physically active eumenorrheic women (n = 11) performing high-intensity intermittent exercise until exhaustion showed greater muscle glycogen use (measured by 13 C-magnetic resonance spectroscopy) during the late follicular compared to the early follicular phase [54]. Estrogen levels and muscle glycogen use were found to be positively correlated, suggesting that estrogen increased reliance on glycogen at high intensities [54]. As for muscle glycogen repletion, however, it seems that there may not be a significant difference between menstrual cycle phases after exhaustive glycogen-depleting exercise in eumenorrheic women [55].…”