The Effect of the Menstrual Cycle and Oral Contraceptive Cycle on Muscle Performance and Perceptual Measures

Belinda M. Thompson, Kaitlyn B. Drover, Rhiannon J. Stellmaker, Dean V. Sculley and Xanne A. K. Janse de Jonge
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Belinda M. Thompson: Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2109, Australia
Kaitlyn B. Drover: School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Ourimbah, NSW 2258, Australia
Rhiannon J. Stellmaker: School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Ourimbah, NSW 2258, Australia
Dean V. Sculley: School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, The University of Newcastle, Ourimbah, NSW 2258, Australia
Xanne A. K. Janse de Jonge: School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Ourimbah, NSW 2258, Australia

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 20, 1-12

Abstract: Most reproductive-aged women are exposed to fluctuating female steroid hormones due to the menstrual cycle or oral contraceptive use. This study investigated the potential effect of the menstrual cycle and combined monophasic oral contraceptive cycle on various aspects of muscle performance. Thirty active females (12 with a natural menstrual cycle, 10 taking a high-androgenicity oral contraceptive and 8 taking a low-androgenicity oral contraceptive), aged 18 to 30 years, were tested three times throughout one menstrual or oral contraceptive cycle. Counter-movement jumps, bilateral hop jumps, handgrip strength, isometric knee extensor strength and isokinetic knee flexion and extension were assessed. Perceptual ratings of fatigue, muscle soreness, pain and mood were recorded. Most variables showed no significant changes over the menstrual or oral contraceptive cycle. However, for the menstrual cycle group, isokinetic knee flexion at 240° s ?1 , and time of flight in bilateral hopping and counter movement jumps showed better results during the mid-luteal phase compared with the late follicular phase. For the high-androgenicity oral contraceptive group, isokinetic knee flexion at 240° s ?1 was significantly higher in the late hormone phase compared with the early hormone phase. For the low-androgenicity oral contraceptive group, time of flight for the counter-movement jumps was lower in the late hormone phase compared with the early hormone phase. The findings indicate that faster and explosive aspects of muscle performance may be influenced by endogenous and exogenous female hormones.

Keywords: estrogen; progesterone; menstrual cycle; monophasic oral contraceptives; androgenicity; muscle strength; muscle power; muscle soreness (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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