O2 uptake and muscle deoxygenation kinetics during the transition to moderate-intensity exercise in different phases of the menstrual cycle in young adult females

Abstract

O(2) uptake (VO2) kinetics were examined during the follicular (F) and luteal (L) phases of the menstrual cycle to determine if there was an effect of altered sex hormones on the (VO2) response to moderate-intensity exercise. Seven healthy women (age 21 +/- 2 years; mean +/- SD) performed six transitions from 20 W to moderate-intensity exercise (approximately 90% theta L) during the F and L phase. VO2 was measured breath-by-breath and deoxyhemoglobin/myoglobin (Delta HHb) was determined by near infrared spectroscopy. Progesterone and estrogen were significantly (P < 0.05) elevated during the L compared to F phase. VO2 kinetics (tau VO2) were not different in the two phases of the menstrual cycle (F, 22 +/- 5 s; L, 22 +/- 6 s; 95% confidence intervals +/-4 s) nor was the time course of the Delta HHb response (F, TD 11 +/- 2 s, tau 11 +/- 3 s; L, TD 12 +/- 2 s, tau 12 +/- 11 s; tau HHb 95% confidence intervals +/-3 s). Respiratory exchange ratio (RER) was not different between phases for baseline or steady-state exercise and the blood lactate response to exercise was not different. In conclusion, VO2 kinetics at the onset of moderate-intensity exercise are not affected by the phase of the menstrual cycle in young females suggesting either no change in, or no effect of metabolic activation on the on-transient kinetics of moderate-intensity exercise. Additionally, the similar adaptation of Delta HHb in combination with unchanged VO2 suggests that there were no differences in the adaptation of local muscle O(2) delivery.

Lack of Association of Estrogen Receptor Alpha Gene Polymorphisms with Cardiorespiratory and Metabolic Variables in Young Women

“…The interaction of estrogen with ER alpha promotes peripheral vasodilatation, an effect that can contribute to an increase in functional aerobic capacity at peak effort. However, Gurd et al [28] suggest that estrogen metabolism does not interfere with O 2 uptake by muscle, as determined by deoxyhemoglobin/myoglobin (Delta HHb) values. Campbell et al [29] found that postmenopausal women using estrogen hormone replacement therapy did not show an improvement in VO 2 during physical training and that their estradiol levels remained unchanged.…”

Oxygen uptake kinetics in trained adolescent females

“…No attempt was made to control the stage of menstrual cycle during testing. It has, however, previously been demonstrated that the menstrual phase has no effect on the p 2 o V  or HHb kinetics (Gurd et al 2007). The sample sizes were small, but were in accord with previous work published in this area (McNarry et al 2011;Winlove et al 2010).…”

Effects of Foot Orthotics on Running Economy: Methodological Considerations

“…There was no control for menstrual cycle phase among the female runners because most studies do not report an impact of menstrual cycle phase on exercise cardiorespiratory variables and oxygen uptake kinetics. [27][28][29] 8.6 (7:00) 0 1 6 8.6 (7:00) 2 1 7 8.6 (7:00) 4 1 8…”

“…28,[38][39][40] The confounding effects of interdian variation on the timebased parameters of oxygen uptake kinetics during treadmill running and/or menstrual cycle phase may have contributed to the 19% difference in submaximal VO 2 as function of footwear for subject 6. 27,28,41,42 Future research needs to address intraday and interday reliability of measuring the effects of orthotic interventions on movement economy, adequate sample sizes, and the potential confounders of diet, previous exercise, menstrual cycle phase, and oxygen uptake kinetics on cardiopulmonary responses to exercise. Developing controlled laboratory protocols to determine movement economy by varying exercise intensities from walking to jogging to running will decrease the physical demand of the sustained incremental exercise protocol and allow us to address the limitations of the current research.…”