The effects of menstrual cycle-based aerobic training on resting metabolism and maximal oxygen uptake and the associations of energy availability to the adaptations
Year: 2025
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Introduction. The fluctuating female sex hormones, primarily estrogen and progesterone, affect several physiological functions differently across the menstrual cycle phases. These changes may further influence athletic performance. Due to this, the concept of training according to an individual’s menstrual cycle has gained interest. However, the adaptations to menstrual cycle-based aerobic training have not been explored extensively. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of menstrual cycle-based moderate intensity exercise training (MIET) on resting metabolic rate (RMR) and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). Additionally, the study aimed to explore the associations between energy availability (EA) and the possible training adaptations in RMR and VO2max. Methods. 38 regularly menstruating women were included in the study and randomly assigned into three groups: control (CON; n=11, age 29.2±4.4 y), follicular phase focused (FPF; n=14, age 30.7±2.6 y), and luteal phase focused (LPF; n=13, age 29.8±4.9 y). All the groups performed MIET at 60–75% maximal heart rate (HRmax), but training volume was periodized differently based on the menstrual cycle phases: FPF performed higher volume of training during the follicular phase and LPF during the luteal phase. CON trained with a steady volume throughout the menstrual cycle. RMR and VO2max were assessed at the pre- and post-intervention measurements. EA was determined from 3-day nutritional diaries following the pre- and post-measurements. Results. No significant differences in RMR (kcal/day) between pre- and post-intervention in FPF and LPF were detected. However, in CON, RMR (kcal/day) decreased significantly (5.8%, p=0.024). All intervention groups improved their VO2max during the interventions (L/min and mL/kg/min), but only LPF showed significant improvements: 4.0% L/min (p=0.004) and 3.6% mL/kg/min (p=0.020). EA was positively associated with RMR in CON at post-intervention (r=0.745, p=0.013) and with the change in VO2max from pre- to post-intervention (ΔVO2max) in LPF (L/min: r=0.599, p=0.040; mL/kg/min: r=0.644, p=0.024). When all participants were analyzed together, there was a positive correlation between the change in EA from pre- to post-intervention (ΔEA) and ΔVO2max (mL/kg/min: r=0.393, p=0.047). Conclusions. The present findings suggest that menstrual cycle-based MIET has no effect on RMR, whereas traditional MIET may negatively impact RMR. However, other factors, such as EA and changes in body mass, seem to play a role in this finding. MIET resulted in an increase in VO2max in all training groups, regardless of the periodization. Yet, as hypothesized, training with higher volume during the luteal phase improved VO2max the most. Furthermore, positive associations between EA and ΔVO2max were detected, displaying a complex relationship between EA, VO2max, and body mass. Due to the methodological limitations of the study, the findings should be interpreted with caution, and further research about menstrual cycle-based training is needed.
Author: Harju, Tilda
Institution: University of Jyväskylä
Language: English
Subfield: Physiology (medical)
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7065602455