Abstract
O2 uptake \((\dot{V}O_{2})\) kinetics were examined during the follicular (F) and luteal (L) phases of the menstrual cycle to determine if there was an effect of altered sex hormones on the \(\dot{V}O_{2}\) response to moderate-intensity exercise. Seven healthy women (age 21 ± 2 years; mean ± SD) performed six transitions from 20 W to moderate-intensity exercise (∼ 90 % \(\hat{\theta}_{{{\rm L}}}\)) during the F and L phase. \(\dot{V}O_{2}\) was measured breath-by-breath and deoxyhemoglobin/myoglobin (Δ HHb) was determined by near infrared spectroscopy. Progesterone and estrogen were significantly (P < 0.05) elevated during the L compared to F phase. \(\dot{V}O_{2}\) kinetics \((\tau \dot{V}O_{2})\) were not different in the two phases of the menstrual cycle (F, 22 ± 5 s; L, 22 ± 6 s; 95% confidence intervals ±4 s) nor was the time course of the Δ HHb response (F, TD 11 ± 2 s, τ 11 ± 3 s; L, TD 12 ± 2 s, τ 12 ± 11 s; τHHb 95% confidence intervals ±3 s). Respiratory exchange ratio (RER) was not different between phases for baseline or steady-state exercise and the blood lactate response to exercise was not different. In conclusion, \(\dot{V}O_{2}\) kinetics at the onset of moderate-intensity exercise are not affected by the phase of the menstrual cycle in young females suggesting either no change in, or no effect of metabolic activation on the on-transient kinetics of moderate-intensity exercise. Additionally, the similar adaptation of Δ HHb in combination with unchanged \(\dot{V}O_{2}\) suggests that there were no differences in the adaptation of local muscle O2 delivery.
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Acknowledgments
This study was supported by Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) grants. Additional support was provided by a UWO Academic Development Fund Grant and infrastructure support of the Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI) and Ontario Innovation Trust (OIT). Financial support to B. J. Gurd was provided by an Ontario Graduate Scholarship. We wish to acknowledge the technical support provided by Brad Hansen, and the subjects for their participation.
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Gurd, B.J., Scheid, J., Paterson, D.H. et al. O2 uptake and muscle deoxygenation kinetics during the transition to moderate-intensity exercise in different phases of the menstrual cycle in young adult females. Eur J Appl Physiol 101, 321–330 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-007-0505-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-007-0505-9