Influence of Menstrual Cycle Stages on Female Athletes

NCT ID: NCT05576740

Last Updated: 2022-12-21

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Total Enrollment

41 participants

Study Classification

OBSERVATIONAL

Study Start Date

2022-03-16

Study Completion Date

2022-07-15

Brief Summary

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The influence of the menstrual cycle on women's sports performance is still uncertain. Research on this topic shows methodological biases. The aim of the study will be to determine whether the menstrual cycle affects women's physical fitness, measuring this in 3 differentiated stages of the cycle: the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and luteal phase. For this purpose, a blood test will be carried out in each phase, with hormone determination (oestradiol and progesterone) and a haemogram to determine the existence of possible anemia. After the extraction and other complementary tests (measurement of vital signs, bioimpedance...) the woman will undergo 3 physical tests to compare the results in the 3 phases. A group of women taking hormonal contraception will also be included, performing the same interventions. To determine whether the woman is ovulating or not, urinary luteinizing hormone (LH) strips will be given to the women and they will have to take them from day 8 of the cycle. In addition, women will wear an accelerometer to monitor their daily activity and to be able to observe if there is an influence on this stage of the menstrual cycle.

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Menstrual Cycle Sports

Keywords

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Menstrual cycle Performance Hormonal verification Contraception

Study Design

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Observational Model Type

CASE_ONLY

Study Time Perspective

PROSPECTIVE

Study Groups

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natural cycle

In this group, women have a natural menstrual cycle, not intervened by exogenous hormones. The interventions performed in this group are the same as in the other groups.

Blood count determination

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Determination of concentration of hemoglobin (g/dL), red blood cells (10\^6/μL), hematocrit (%), white blood cells (10\^3/μl), platelets (10\^3/μl), during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase.

Body composition parameters determination

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Determination of weight (kg), total body water (L), proteins (kg), minerals (kg), body fat mass (kg), body mass index (BMI) (kg/m2), basal metabolic rate (kcal) by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis, during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase.

Vital signs

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Determination of blood pressure (mmHg) and heart rate (bpm) at baseline, one minute and three minutes after the Course Navette test

Urinary LH determination

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Urine LH test strips are performed from day 8 of the cycle until positive.

Determination of hormone level concentrations

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Determination of concentration of 17β-oestradiol (pg/mL), progesterone (ng/mL), LH (mUI/mL), FSH (mUI/mL), prolactin (ng/mL), total testosterone (ng/mL), free testosterone (pmol/L) sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) (nmol/L), cortisol (μg/dL), T3 (ng/dL), T4 (mcg/dL), TSH (mcU/mL), basal insulin (mcUI/mL) during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase.

Jump height determination

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

by Chronojump contact mat, determine five types of jump in centimeters: Squat jump without additional weight, Squat jump with 50% of body weight, Countermovement jump, Abalakov jump, and Drop jump, during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase.

Grip strength determination

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

measuring of changes in muscle strength by handgrip dynamometer in the hand to be tested (handgrip test) during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase. Three attempts on each hand.

Flexibility determination

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

measurement of changes in the range of motion of the hamstring musculature, by sit and reach test (cm), during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase. Three tries.

Indirect maximum oxygen consumption determination

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

by the Course Navette test, the indirect oxygen consumption is calculated using the formula: VO2max = (6xFA) - 27,4 (FA = Speed of the last stage of the test completed. It takes place during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase.

Sensory and pain threshold determination

Intervention Type DEVICE

by electrical muscle stimulator (Digitimer DS7A), during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase.

Physical and mental symptoms associated with the menstrual cycle

Intervention Type OTHER

By The Daily Record of Severity of Problems (DRSP) questionnaire, during a full menstrual cycle.

Daily activity

Intervention Type DEVICE

by accelerometer (GENEActiv) during a full menstrual cylcle: Wrist-worn device measuring accelerations as a measure of daily activity, in cpm, counts per minute.

Biochemical parameters determination

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Determination of concentration of iron (μg/dL), ferritin (ng/mL), and transferrin (mg/dL), during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase.

artificial cycle

In this group, women with an artificial menstrual cycle, i.e. women using hormonal contraception, oral or vaginal, are selected. The interventions carried out in this group are the same as in the other groups.

Blood count determination

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Determination of concentration of hemoglobin (g/dL), red blood cells (10\^6/μL), hematocrit (%), white blood cells (10\^3/μl), platelets (10\^3/μl), during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase.

Body composition parameters determination

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Determination of weight (kg), total body water (L), proteins (kg), minerals (kg), body fat mass (kg), body mass index (BMI) (kg/m2), basal metabolic rate (kcal) by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis, during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase.

Vital signs

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Determination of blood pressure (mmHg) and heart rate (bpm) at baseline, one minute and three minutes after the Course Navette test

Checking for correct use of contraceptive methods

Intervention Type OTHER

Pre-test questions about possible forgetfulness or mishandling of the method

Determination of hormone level concentrations

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Determination of concentration of 17β-oestradiol (pg/mL), progesterone (ng/mL), LH (mUI/mL), FSH (mUI/mL), prolactin (ng/mL), total testosterone (ng/mL), free testosterone (pmol/L) sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) (nmol/L), cortisol (μg/dL), T3 (ng/dL), T4 (mcg/dL), TSH (mcU/mL), basal insulin (mcUI/mL) during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase.

Jump height determination

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

by Chronojump contact mat, determine five types of jump in centimeters: Squat jump without additional weight, Squat jump with 50% of body weight, Countermovement jump, Abalakov jump, and Drop jump, during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase.

Grip strength determination

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

measuring of changes in muscle strength by handgrip dynamometer in the hand to be tested (handgrip test) during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase. Three attempts on each hand.

Flexibility determination

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

measurement of changes in the range of motion of the hamstring musculature, by sit and reach test (cm), during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase. Three tries.

Indirect maximum oxygen consumption determination

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

by the Course Navette test, the indirect oxygen consumption is calculated using the formula: VO2max = (6xFA) - 27,4 (FA = Speed of the last stage of the test completed. It takes place during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase.

Sensory and pain threshold determination

Intervention Type DEVICE

by electrical muscle stimulator (Digitimer DS7A), during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase.

Physical and mental symptoms associated with the menstrual cycle

Intervention Type OTHER

By The Daily Record of Severity of Problems (DRSP) questionnaire, during a full menstrual cycle.

Daily activity

Intervention Type DEVICE

by accelerometer (GENEActiv) during a full menstrual cylcle: Wrist-worn device measuring accelerations as a measure of daily activity, in cpm, counts per minute.

Biochemical parameters determination

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Determination of concentration of iron (μg/dL), ferritin (ng/mL), and transferrin (mg/dL), during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase.

natural cycle with deficient luteal phase

In this group, women have a natural menstrual cycle, with a low progesterone level during the luteal phase, and are not intervened by exogenous hormones. The interventions performed in this group are the same as in the other groups.

Blood count determination

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Determination of concentration of hemoglobin (g/dL), red blood cells (10\^6/μL), hematocrit (%), white blood cells (10\^3/μl), platelets (10\^3/μl), during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase.

Body composition parameters determination

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Determination of weight (kg), total body water (L), proteins (kg), minerals (kg), body fat mass (kg), body mass index (BMI) (kg/m2), basal metabolic rate (kcal) by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis, during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase.

Vital signs

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Determination of blood pressure (mmHg) and heart rate (bpm) at baseline, one minute and three minutes after the Course Navette test

Urinary LH determination

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Urine LH test strips are performed from day 8 of the cycle until positive.

Determination of hormone level concentrations

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Determination of concentration of 17β-oestradiol (pg/mL), progesterone (ng/mL), LH (mUI/mL), FSH (mUI/mL), prolactin (ng/mL), total testosterone (ng/mL), free testosterone (pmol/L) sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) (nmol/L), cortisol (μg/dL), T3 (ng/dL), T4 (mcg/dL), TSH (mcU/mL), basal insulin (mcUI/mL) during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase.

Jump height determination

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

by Chronojump contact mat, determine five types of jump in centimeters: Squat jump without additional weight, Squat jump with 50% of body weight, Countermovement jump, Abalakov jump, and Drop jump, during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase.

Grip strength determination

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

measuring of changes in muscle strength by handgrip dynamometer in the hand to be tested (handgrip test) during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase. Three attempts on each hand.

Flexibility determination

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

measurement of changes in the range of motion of the hamstring musculature, by sit and reach test (cm), during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase. Three tries.

Indirect maximum oxygen consumption determination

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

by the Course Navette test, the indirect oxygen consumption is calculated using the formula: VO2max = (6xFA) - 27,4 (FA = Speed of the last stage of the test completed. It takes place during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase.

Sensory and pain threshold determination

Intervention Type DEVICE

by electrical muscle stimulator (Digitimer DS7A), during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase.

Physical and mental symptoms associated with the menstrual cycle

Intervention Type OTHER

By The Daily Record of Severity of Problems (DRSP) questionnaire, during a full menstrual cycle.

Daily activity

Intervention Type DEVICE

by accelerometer (GENEActiv) during a full menstrual cylcle: Wrist-worn device measuring accelerations as a measure of daily activity, in cpm, counts per minute.

Biochemical parameters determination

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Determination of concentration of iron (μg/dL), ferritin (ng/mL), and transferrin (mg/dL), during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase.

Interventions

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Blood count determination

Determination of concentration of hemoglobin (g/dL), red blood cells (10\^6/μL), hematocrit (%), white blood cells (10\^3/μl), platelets (10\^3/μl), during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Body composition parameters determination

Determination of weight (kg), total body water (L), proteins (kg), minerals (kg), body fat mass (kg), body mass index (BMI) (kg/m2), basal metabolic rate (kcal) by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis, during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Vital signs

Determination of blood pressure (mmHg) and heart rate (bpm) at baseline, one minute and three minutes after the Course Navette test

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Checking for correct use of contraceptive methods

Pre-test questions about possible forgetfulness or mishandling of the method

Intervention Type OTHER

Urinary LH determination

Urine LH test strips are performed from day 8 of the cycle until positive.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Determination of hormone level concentrations

Determination of concentration of 17β-oestradiol (pg/mL), progesterone (ng/mL), LH (mUI/mL), FSH (mUI/mL), prolactin (ng/mL), total testosterone (ng/mL), free testosterone (pmol/L) sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) (nmol/L), cortisol (μg/dL), T3 (ng/dL), T4 (mcg/dL), TSH (mcU/mL), basal insulin (mcUI/mL) during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Jump height determination

by Chronojump contact mat, determine five types of jump in centimeters: Squat jump without additional weight, Squat jump with 50% of body weight, Countermovement jump, Abalakov jump, and Drop jump, during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Grip strength determination

measuring of changes in muscle strength by handgrip dynamometer in the hand to be tested (handgrip test) during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase. Three attempts on each hand.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Flexibility determination

measurement of changes in the range of motion of the hamstring musculature, by sit and reach test (cm), during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase. Three tries.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Indirect maximum oxygen consumption determination

by the Course Navette test, the indirect oxygen consumption is calculated using the formula: VO2max = (6xFA) - 27,4 (FA = Speed of the last stage of the test completed. It takes place during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Sensory and pain threshold determination

by electrical muscle stimulator (Digitimer DS7A), during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Physical and mental symptoms associated with the menstrual cycle

By The Daily Record of Severity of Problems (DRSP) questionnaire, during a full menstrual cycle.

Intervention Type OTHER

Daily activity

by accelerometer (GENEActiv) during a full menstrual cylcle: Wrist-worn device measuring accelerations as a measure of daily activity, in cpm, counts per minute.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Biochemical parameters determination

Determination of concentration of iron (μg/dL), ferritin (ng/mL), and transferrin (mg/dL), during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Female sex
* Women between 18 and 40 years of age
* Women who are members of a federation and who compete in a sport doing at least 240 minutes of exercise per week.
* Women with regular menstrual cycles (between 23 and 38 days long).
* Women who have not taken hormonal contraceptives (HA) for 6 months or more.


* Female sex
* Women between 18-40 years of age
* Women federated and competed in a sport doing at least 240 minutes of exercise per week.
* Long-term users of HA (minimum 6 months).

Exclusion Criteria

* Refusal to participate in the study
* Sedentary women
* Women on HA currently or in the 6 months before the study
* Women with irregular menstrual cycles, less than 23 or more than 38 days in length
* Any existing metabolic disease or disorder
* Regular use of medications or dietary supplements that could affect the results
* Pregnancy or breastfeeding


* Refusal to participate in the study
* Sedentary women
* Any existing metabolic disease or disorder
* Regular use of medications or dietary supplements that could affect the results
* Inability to manage contraception in a disciplined manner
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

40 Years

Eligible Sex

FEMALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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Universitat Jaume I

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Paula Recacha Ponce

Investigador principal

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Paula Recacha-Ponce, Midwife

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Universitat Jaume I

Eladio Collado-Boira, Doctor

Role: STUDY_DIRECTOR

Universitat Jaume I

Carlos Hernando-Domingo, Doctor

Role: STUDY_DIRECTOR

Universitat Jaume I

Locations

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Jaume I University

Castellon, Castellon, Spain

Site Status

Countries

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Spain

Other Identifiers

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CD/77/2020

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id