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Int J Sports Med 2024; 45(05): 343-348
DOI: 10.1055/a-2192-8631
Training & Testing

The Variability of the Components of Fitness along the Menstrual Cycle

Santiago A. Ruiz-Alias 
1   Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
,
Alejandro Pérez-Castilla 
2   Department of Education, Faculty of Education Sciences, University of Almeria, Almeria, Spain
,
Aitor Marcos-Blanco
1   Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
,
Claudia Moreno-Ortega
1   Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
,
Iván Fernández-Navarrete
1   Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
,
Felipe García-Pinillos 
1   Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
3   Physical Education, Sports and Recreation, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
› Author Affiliations Funding Information Ministerio de Universidades — http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100023561; FPU19/00542 Proyecto PID2020-115600RB-C21 financiado por MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033.
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Abstract

This study aims to determine the variability of the components of fitness along the menstrual cycle (MC) of physically active eumenorrheic women. Fifteen subjects were monitored along two consecutive MCs through the calendar-based counting method in combination with a urine luteinizing hormone surge kit. Subjects were tested at the early follicular phase (EFP), pre-ovulatory or late follicular phase (LFP), and post-ovulatory or mid-luteal phase (MLP). In each session, the back squat one-repetition maximum (1-RM), maximum fat oxidation (MFO), maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) and acute recovery capacity were determined. The results revealed a wide variability among components of fitness and a low to high variability among subjects (acute recovery: 3.6% [range 1.5 to 9.5%]; back squat 1-RM: 6.1% [range 2.2 to 11%]; VO2max: 6.6% [range 1.1 to 15%]; MFO: 23% [range 4.6 to 35%]). Despite the individual nature, considering the number and magnitude of the responses in each MC phase, VO2max and acute recovery capacity tended to be enhanced at the LFP, the MFO at the MLP, and the back squat 1-RM remained stable along the MC. Thus, practitioners are aware of which components are susceptible to change along the MC phase, but an individual monitoring is recommended.

Key words

menstrual cycle - fitness - ovarian hormones


Publication History

Received: 02 May 2023

Accepted: 10 October 2023

Accepted Manuscript online:
16 October 2023

Article published online:
24 February 2024

© 2023. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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