The Effect of Menstrual-Cycle Phase on Hamstring Extensibility and Muscle Stiffness

2009 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 553-563 ◽  
Author(s):  
David R. Bell ◽  
Megan P. Myrick ◽  
J. Troy Blackburn ◽  
Sandra J. Shultz ◽  
Kevin M. Guskiewicz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Menstrual Cycle ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Athletic Trainers ◽  
Muscle Stiffness ◽  
The Body ◽  
Cycle Phase ◽  
Hamstring Muscle ◽  
Muscle Properties ◽  
Acl Injuries

Context:Preventing noncontact ACL injuries has been a major focus of athletic trainers and researchers. One factor that may influence female noncontact ACL injury is the fluctuating concentrations of hormones in the body.Objective:To determine whether muscle properties change across the menstrual cycle.Design:Repeated measures. Testing was performed within 3 d after the onset of menses and ovulation. Repeated-measures ANOVAs were used to determine changes in variables across the menstrual cycle, and Pearson correlations were used to determine relationships between variables.Participants:8 women with normal menstrual cycles.Main Outcome Measures:Active hamstring stiffness and hamstring extensibility.Results:Hamstring extensibility (P = .003) increased at the ovulation testing session but hamstring muscle stiffness (P = .66) did not.Conclusions:The results indicate that hamstring muscle stiffness did not change across the menstrual cycle and hamstring extensibility increased at ovulation, when estrogen concentration increases.

scholarly journals The Effect of Pedal Pump Lymphatic Technique Versus Passive Recovery Following Maximal Exercise: A Randomized Cross-Over Trial

2022 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne DiFrancisco-Donoghue ◽  
Thomas Chan ◽  
Alexandra S. Jensen ◽  
James E. B. Docherty ◽  
Rebecca Grohman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Lactate ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Maximal Exercise ◽  
Lactate Concentration ◽  
The Body ◽  
Intense Exercise ◽  
Passive Recovery ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Recovery Protocols

Abstract Context Muscle damage and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) can occur following intense exercise. Various modalities have been studied to improve blood lactate accumulation, which is a primary reason for DOMS. It has been well established that active recovery facilitates blood lactate removal more rapidly that passive recovery due to the pumping action of the muscle. The pedal pump is a manual lymphatic technique used in osteopathic manipulative medicine to increase lymphatic drainage throughout the body. Pedal pump has been shown to increase lymphatic flow and improve immunity. This may improve circulation and improve clearance of metabolites post-exercise. Objective This study compared the use of pedal pump lymphatic technique to passive supine recovery following maximal exercise. Methods 17 subjects (male n = 10, age 23 ± 3.01; female n = 7, age 24 ± 1.8), performed a maximal volume O2 test (VO2 max) using a Bruce protocol, followed by a recovery protocol using either pedal pump technique or supine passive rest for 10 min, followed by sitting for 10 min. Outcome measures included blood lactate concentration (BL), heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and VO2. Subjects returned on another day to repeat the VO2 max test to perform the other recovery protocol. All outcomes were measured at rest, within 1- minute post-peak exercise, and at minutes 4, 7, 10 and 20 of the recovery protocols. A 2 × 6 repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare outcome measures (p ≤ 0.05). Results No significant differences were found in VO2, HR, or SBP between any of the recovery protocols. There was no significant difference in BL concentrations for recovery at minutes 4, 7, or 10 (p > 0.05). However, the pedal pump recovery displayed significantly lower BL concentrations at minute 20 of recovery (p = 0.04). Conclusion The pedal pump significantly decreased blood lactate concentrations following intense exercise at recovery minute 20. The use of manual lymphatic techniques in exercise recovery should be investigated further.

Longitudinal Changes in Hip Strength and Range of Motion in Female Youth Soccer Players: Implications for ACL Injury, A Pilot Study

2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 358-364 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anh-Dung Nguyen ◽  
Emma F. Zuk ◽  
Andrea L. Baellow ◽  
Kate R. Pfile ◽  
Lindsay J. DiStefano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Range Of Motion ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Hip Strength ◽  
Acl Injuries ◽  
Longitudinal Changes ◽  
Female Youth ◽  
Youth Soccer

Context:Risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in young female athletes increases with age, appearing to peak during maturation. Changes in hip muscle strength and range of motion (ROM) during this time may contribute to altered dynamic movement patterns that are known to increase risk of ACL injuries. Understanding the longitudinal changes in hip strength and ROM is needed to develop appropriate interventions to reduce the risk of ACL injuries.Objective:To examine the longitudinal changes in hip strength and ROM in female youth soccer players.Design:Longitudinal descriptive study.Setting:Field setting.Participants:14 female youth soccer athletes (14.1 ± 1.1 y, 165.8 ± 5.3 cm, 57.5 ± 9.9 kg) volunteered as part of a multiyear risk factor screening project.Main Outcome Measures:Clinical measures of hip strength and ROM were collected annually over 3 consecutive years. Passive hip internal rotation (IR), external rotation (ER), abduction (ABD), and adduction (ADD) ROM were measured with a digital inclinometer. Isometric hip ABD and extension (EXT) strength were evaluated using a hand-held dynamometer. Separate repeated-measures ANOVAs compared hip strength and ROM values across 3 consecutive years (P < .05).Results:As youth female soccer players increased in age, there were no changes in normalized hip ABD (P = .830) or EXT strength (P = .062) across 3 consecutive years. Longitudinal changes in hip ROM were observed with increases in hip IR (P = .001) and ABD (P < .001), while hip ADD (P = .009) and ER (P < .001) decreased.Conclusions:Anatomical changes at the hip occur as youth female soccer players increase in age. While there are no changes in hip strength, there is an increase in hip IR and ABD ROM with a concomitant decrease in hip ER and ADD ROM. The resulting asymmetries in hip ROM may decrease the activation and force producing capabilities of the hip muscles during dynamic activities, contributing to altered lower extremity mechanics known to increase the risk of ACL injuries.

Perfusion Changes with Photic Stimulation During two Phases of the Menstrual Cycle: A Pilot Study Comparing Controls and True Menstrual Migraine Patients

Cephalalgia ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 23 (9) ◽  
pp. 907-913 ◽  
Author(s):  
BM Ances ◽  
JA Detre
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Menstrual Cycle ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Visual Stimulation ◽  
Occipital Lobe ◽  
Menstrual Migraine ◽  
Phase Changes ◽  
Photic Stimulation ◽  
Cycle Phase ◽  
Significant Difference

This pilot study investigated the effect of menstrual cycle phase (late luteal and mid-follicular) on cerebral perfusion changes during photic stimulation in both controls ( n = 5) and true menstrual migraine patients ( n = 5). No significant differences in resting baseline perfusion were observed between the two groups during either phase of the menstrual cycle. During the late luteal phase, changes in perfusion within the occipital lobe due to photic stimulation were similar for both groups. However, during the mid-follicular phase, occipital perfusion during visual stimulation decreased for controls but significantly increased for true menstrual migraine patients ( P < 0.05). A two way repeated measures ANOVA also demonstrated a significant difference between menstrual migraine patients and controls for photic activation ( P < 0.05).

scholarly journals Effect of menstrual cycle phase, menstrual irregularities and hormonal contraceptive use on anterior knee laxity and non-contact anterior cruciate ligament injury occurrence in women: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. e001170
Author(s):  
Elisa Nédélec ◽  
Elvis Foli ◽  
Sandra J Shultz ◽  
Paul A Swinton ◽  
Eimear Dolan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Menstrual Cycle ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Ligament Injury ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Hormonal Contraceptives ◽  
Cycle Phase ◽  
Acl Injuries ◽  
Anterior Knee

Exercising women report three to six times more ACL tears than men, which happen, in the majority of cases, with a non-contact mechanism. This sex disparity has, in part, been attributed to the differences in reproductive hormone profiles between men and women. Many studies have shown that anterior knee (AK) laxity and the rate of non-contact ACL injuries vary across the menstrual cycle, but these data are inconsistent. Similarly, several studies have investigated the potential protective effect of hormonal contraceptives on non-contact ACL injuries, but their conclusions are also variable. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to, identify, evaluate and summarise the effects of endogenous and exogenous ovarian hormones on AK laxity (primary outcome) and the occurrence of non-contact ACL injuries (secondary outcome) in women. We will perform a systematic search for all observational studies conducted on this topic. Studies will be retrieved by searching electronic databases, clinical trial registers, author’s personal files and cross-referencing selected studies. Risk of bias will be assessed using the Newcastle Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale for Cohort and Case–Control Studies. Certainty in the cumulative evidence will be assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach. The meta-analyses will use a Bayesian approach to address specific research questions in a more intuitive and probabilistic manner. This review is registered on the international database of prospectively registered systematic reviews (PROSPERO; CRD42021252365).

Abstract 231: Decreased Parasympathetic Activity in the Ovulatory Phase of the Menstrual Cycle

2013 ◽  
Vol 113 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Tweedell ◽  
Matthew Tenan ◽  
Anthony C Hackney ◽  
Matthew Brothers ◽  
Lisa Griffin
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Autonomic Nervous System ◽  
Menstrual Cycle ◽  
Power Spectrum ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Total Power ◽  
Cycle Phase ◽  
Autonomic Nervous ◽  
Frequency Components

The Heart rate variability (HRV) power spectrum is a non-invasive index of parasympathetic and sympathetic branches of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Sex hormone oscillations may affect autonomic nervous system function; however, no systemic difference in HRV across the menstrual cycle has been shown. The purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis that there are changes in HRV spectral power components across the menstrual cycle. Method: Eleven women (24.4±3.6 years) volunteered for this experiment. Menstrual cycle phase was determined via basal body temperature mapping. Participants were tested once in each cycle phase. A 3 lead ECG was sampled at 1000 Hz. A piezoelectric force transducer, placed around the chest, recorded breathing rate. After 20 minutes of quiet seated rest, 5 minutes of data was collected in the upright seated position. Power spectral density analysis was performed on the R-R interval variations by fast Fourier transformation. The spectrum was divided into low (0.04-0.15, Hz) and high (0.15-0.40 Hz) frequency components. In order to attain data normality, the components were transformed with a natural logarithm. A repeated measures ANCOVA was used with a piece-wise covariate function for breathing rates higher and lower than 10 breaths per minute. Results: A significant decrease in total power spectrum was observed at the ovulatory phase (P=0.04) compared to the early follicular, late follicular and mid luteal phases. Furthermore, high-frequency oscillations were lower (P=0.04) in the ovulatory phase compared to late follicular phase. There were no changes observed (P>0.05) in the low frequency power spectrum across the menstrual cycle. Conclusions: The decrease in the high-frequency components of the HRV power spectrum during the ovulatory phase indicates a decrease in parasympathetic regulation of the heart. The ovulatory phase is characterized by an elevated level of progesterone, follicle stimulating and luteinizing hormones, and a moderate level of estradiol. Thus, the changes in these hormones during ovulation appear to affect ANS function.

Effect of menstrual cycle phase on exercise performance of high-altitude native women at 3600 m

2002 ◽  
Vol 205 (2) ◽  
pp. 233-239
Author(s):  
Tom D. Brutsaert ◽  
Hilde Spielvogel ◽  
Esperanza Caceres ◽  
Mauricio Araoz ◽  
Robert T. Chatterton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Menstrual Cycle ◽  
High Altitude ◽  
Exercise Performance ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Randomized Study ◽  
Submaximal Exercise ◽  
Hormonal Contraceptives ◽  
Cycle Phase ◽  
Menstrual Cycle Phase ◽  
Native Women

SUMMARY At sea level normally menstruating women show increased ventilation (V̇e) and hemodynamic changes due to increased progesterone (P) and estrogen (E2) levels during the mid-luteal (L) compared to the mid-follicular (F) phase of the ovarian cycle. Such changes may affect maximal exercise performance. This repeated-measures, randomized study, conducted at 3600 m, tests the hypothesis that a P-mediated increase in V̇e increases maximal oxygen consumption (V̇O2max) during the L phase relative to the F phase in Bolivian women, either born and raised at high altitude (HA), or resident at HA since early childhood. Subjects (N=30) enrolled in the study were aged 27.7±0.7 years (mean ± s.e.m.) and non-pregnant, non-lactating, relatively sedentary residents of La Paz, Bolivia, who were not using hormonal contraceptives. Mean salivary P levels at the time of the exercise tests were 63.3 pg ml–1 and 22.9 pg ml–1 for the L and F phases, respectively. Subset analyses of submaximal (N=23) and maximal (N=13) exercise responses were conducted only with women showing increased P levels from F to L and, in the latter case, with those also achieving true V̇O2max. Submaximal exercise V̇e and ventilatory equivalents were higher in the L phase (P&lt;0.001). P levels were significantly correlated to the submaximal exercise V̇e (r=0.487, P=0.006). Maximal work output (W) was higher (approximately 5 %) during the L phase (P=0.044), but V̇O2max (l min–1) was unchanged (P=0.063). Post-hoc analyses revealed no significant relationship between changes in P levels and changes in V̇O2max from F to L (P=0.072). In sum, the menstrual cycle phase has relatively modest effects on ventilation, but no effect on V̇O2max of HA native women.

scholarly journals A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Within-Person Changes in Cardiac Vagal Activity across the Menstrual Cycle: Implications for Female Health and Future Studies

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 1946 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katja M. Schmalenberger ◽  
Tory A. Eisenlohr-Moul ◽  
Lena Würth ◽  
Ekaterina Schneider ◽  
Julian F. Thayer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Menstrual Cycle ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Cycle Phase ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Vagal Activity ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Meta Analyses

Interest in cardiac vagal activity (CVA; e.g., parasympathetically-mediated heart rate variability) as a biomarker of physical and mental health has increased exponentially in recent years. However, the understanding of sources of within-person change (i.e., intra-individual variance) in CVA is lagging behind. This systematic review and meta-analysis summarizes and quantifies current empirical evidence of within-person changes in measures of CVA across the menstrual cycle in naturally-cycling premenopausal females. We conducted an extensive literature search following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement in five databases to identify observational studies with repeated measures of CVA in at least two menstrual cycle phases. A broad meta-analysis (nstudies = 37; nindividuals = 1,004) revealed a significant CVA decrease from the follicular to luteal phase (d = −0.39, 95% CI (−0.67, −0.11)). Furthermore, 21 studies allowed for finer-grained comparisons between each of two cycle phases (menstrual, mid-to-late follicular, ovulatory, early-to-mid luteal, and premenstrual). Significant decreases in CVA were observed from the menstrual to premenstrual (nstudies = 5; nindividuals = 200; d = −1.17, 95% CI (−2.18, −0.17)) and from the mid-to-late follicular to premenstrual phases (nstudies = 8; nindividuals = 280; d = −1.32, 95% CI (−2.35, −0.29)). In conclusion, meta-analyses indicate the presence of CVA fluctuations across the menstrual cycle. Future studies involving CVA should control for cycle phase. Recommendations for covarying or selecting cycle phase are provided.

Acetaminophen does not affect 24-h body temperature or sleep in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle

2002 ◽  
Vol 92 (4) ◽  
pp. 1684-1691 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fiona C. Baker ◽  
Helen S. Driver ◽  
Janice Paiker ◽  
Geoffrey G. Rogers ◽  
Duncan Mitchell
Keyword(s):  
Menstrual Cycle ◽  
Body Temperature ◽  
Young Women ◽  
Luteal Phase ◽  
Slow Wave Sleep ◽  
Follicular Phase ◽  
Prostaglandin Synthesis ◽  
The Body ◽  
Cycle Phase ◽  
Subjective Sleep Quality

Body temperature and sleep change in association with increased progesterone in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle in young women. The mechanism by which progesterone raises body temperature is not known but may involve prostaglandins, inducing a thermoregulatory adjustment similar to that of fever. Prostaglandins also are involved in sleep regulation and potentially could mediate changes in sleep during the menstrual cycle. We investigated the possible role of central prostaglandins in mediating menstrual-associated 24-h temperature and sleep changes by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis with a therapeutic dose of the centrally acting cyclooxygenase inhibitor acetaminophen in the luteal and follicular phases of the menstrual cycle in young women. Body temperature was raised, and nocturnal amplitude was blunted, in the luteal phase compared with the follicular phase. Acetaminophen had no effect on the body temperature profile in either menstrual cycle phase. Prostaglandins, therefore, are unlikely to mediate the upward shift of body temperature in the luteal phase. Sleep changed during the menstrual cycle: on the placebo night in the luteal phase the women had less rapid eye movement sleep and more slow-wave sleep than in the follicular phase. Acetaminophen did not alter sleep architecture or subjective sleep quality. Prostaglandin inhibition with acetaminophen, therefore, had no effect on the increase in body temperature or on sleep in the midluteal phase of the menstrual cycle in young women, making it unlikely that central prostaglandin synthesis underlies these luteal events.

scholarly journals Menstrual Cycle Changes in Vagally-Mediated Heart Rate Variability Are Associated with Progesterone: Evidence from Two Within-Person Studies

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 617 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katja M. Schmalenberger ◽  
Tory A. Eisenlohr-Moul ◽  
Marc N. Jarczok ◽  
Monika Eckstein ◽  
Ekaterina Schneider ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Heart Rate Variability ◽  
Menstrual Cycle ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Multilevel Models ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Interactive Effects ◽  
Cycle Phase ◽  
Vagal Activity ◽  
Health Studies

A recent meta-analysis revealed that cardiac vagal activity (mostly indicated by vagally-mediated heart rate variability; HRV) decreases significantly from the follicular to luteal menstrual cycle phase in naturally-cycling participants. However, the question remains as to whether cyclical changes in estradiol (E2), progesterone (P4), or both are responsible for HRV fluctuations. We present the first studies to use repeated measures of E2, P4, and HRV across the cycle to model both the unique and interactive effects of person-centered E2 and P4 on HRV in multilevel models. In study one, 40 naturally-cycling participants were assessed weekly across four weeks, and were blind to the cycle focus of the study. In study two, 50 naturally-cycling participants were examined in three precisely defined cycle phases via ovulation testing. Both studies revealed that only P4 was correlated with HRV, such that higher-than-usual P4 significantly predicted lower-than-usual HRV within a given participant. In line with this, cycle phase comparisons revealed lower HRV in the mid-luteal phase (characterized by elevated P4) than in other phases. No significant main or interactive effects of E2 on HRV were found. Future female health studies should investigate individual differences in these effects and potential consequences of cyclical HRV changes on daily functioning.

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