Key result
The mid-luteal phase of the menstrual cycle impaired post-exercise ventilatory efficiency, characterized by higher ventilation and lower breathing reserve during recovery.
Why the study?
There is a lack of literature studying the influence of the menstrual cycle on females' cardiorespiratory recovery following high-intensity exercise.
Does the menstrual cycle phase affect post-exercise cardiorespiratory recovery following high-intensity interval exercise in trained females?
Cross-Sectional (n=13)
Does the menstrual cycle phase affect post-exercise cardiorespiratory recovery following high-intensity interval exercise in trained females?
The menstrual cycle affects post-exercise recovery, specifically during the mid-luteal phase, by increasing ventilation and lowering breathing reserve, leading to impaired ventilatory efficiency.
This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.
Although the study of the menstrual cycle influence on endurance exercise has recently increased, there is a lack of literature studying its influence on females’ cardiorespiratory recovery. Thus, the aim of the present work was to assess menstrual cycle influence on post-exercise recovery following a high intensity interval exercise in trained females. Thirteen eumenorrheic endurance-trained females performed an interval running protocol in three menstrual cycle phases: early follicular phase (EFP), late follicular phase (LFP), and mid-luteal phase (MLP). The protocol consisted of 8 × 3-min bouts at 85% of their maximal aerobic speed (vVO2peak) with a 90-s rest between bouts and a final 5-min active recovery at 30% vVO2peak. All variables were averaged every 15 s, obtaining 19 moments during recovery (time factor). To analyze the effects of the menstrual cycle on the final active cardiorespiratory recovery, an ANOVA for repeated measures was performed. ANOVA showed an effect on menstrual cycle phase on ventilation (EFP: 1.27 ± 0.35; LFP: 1.19 ± 0.36; MLP: 1.27 ± 0.37), breathing frequency (EFP: 35.14 ± 7.14; LFP: 36.32 ± 7.11; MLP: 37.62 ± 7.23), and carbon dioxide production (EFP: 1120.46 ± 137.62; LFP: 1079.50 ± 129.57; MLP: 1148.78 ± 107.91). Regarding the interaction results (phase x time), ventilation is higher at many of the recovery times during the MLP, with less frequent differences between EFP and LFP (F = 1.586; p = 0.019), while breathing reserve is lower at many of the recovery times during MLP, with less time differences between EFP and LFP (F = 1.643; p = 0.013). It seems that the menstrual cycle affects post-exercise recovery specially during the MLP, rising ventilation and lowering breathing reserve, giving rise to an impaired ventilatory efficiency.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
May warrant cycle-phase monitoring of recovery in trained females; leaves open whether adjustments to training or recovery protocols are needed.
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Benito et al. (2023) reported a cross-sectional. Mid-luteal phase of the menstrual cycle vs. Early and late follicular phases was evaluated on Ventilation during active recovery (F = 1.586, p=0.019). The mid-luteal phase of the menstrual cycle impaired post-exercise ventilatory efficiency, characterized by higher ventilation and lower breathing reserve during recovery.
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