Influence of Menstrual Cycle Stages on Female Athletes
Condition: Menstrual Cycle; Sports
Study type: Observational [Patient Registry]

Summary: 
      The influence of the menstrual cycle on women's sports performance is still uncertain.
      Research on this topic shows methodological biases. The aim of the study will be to determine
      whether the menstrual cycle affects women's physical fitness, measuring this in 3
      differentiated stages of the cycle: the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and
      luteal phase. For this purpose, a blood test will be carried out in each phase, with hormone
      determination (oestradiol and progesterone) and a haemogram to determine the existence of
      possible anemia. After the extraction and other complementary tests (measurement of vital
      signs, bioimpedance...) the woman will undergo 3 physical tests to compare the results in the
      3 phases. A group of women taking hormonal contraception will also be included, performing
      the same interventions. To determine whether the woman is ovulating or not, urinary
      luteinizing hormone (LH) strips will be given to the women and they will have to take them
      from day 8 of the cycle. In addition, women will wear an accelerometer to monitor their daily
      activity and to be able to observe if there is an influence on this stage of the menstrual
      cycle.
    


Intervention name(s): Determination of hormone level concentrations; Jump height determination; Grip strength determination; Flexibility determination; Indirect maximum oxygen consumption determination; Sensory and pain threshold determination; Physical and mental symptoms associated with the menstrual cycle; Daily activity; Biochemical parameters determination; Blood count determination; Body composition parameters determination; Vital signs; Checking for correct use of contraceptive methods; Urinary LH determination
Intervention type(s): Procedure; Procedure; Procedure; Procedure; Procedure; Device; Other; Device; Procedure; Procedure; Procedure; Procedure; Other; Procedure
Intervention description(s): Determination of concentration of 17β-oestradiol (pg/mL), progesterone (ng/mL), LH (mUI/mL), FSH (mUI/mL), prolactin (ng/mL), total testosterone (ng/mL), free testosterone (pmol/L) sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) (nmol/L), cortisol (μg/dL), T3 (ng/dL), T4 (mcg/dL), TSH (mcU/mL), basal insulin (mcUI/mL) during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase.; by Chronojump contact mat, determine five types of jump in centimeters: Squat jump without additional weight, Squat jump with 50% of body weight, Countermovement jump, Abalakov jump, and Drop jump, during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase.; measuring of changes in muscle strength by handgrip dynamometer in the hand to be tested (handgrip test) during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase. Three attempts on each hand.; measurement of changes in the range of motion of the hamstring musculature, by sit and reach test (cm), during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase. Three tries.; by the Course Navette test, the indirect oxygen consumption is calculated using the formula: VO2max = (6xFA) - 27,4 (FA = Speed of the last stage of the test completed. It takes place during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase.; by electrical muscle stimulator (Digitimer DS7A), during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase.; By The Daily Record of Severity of Problems (DRSP) questionnaire, during a full menstrual cycle.; by accelerometer (GENEActiv) during a full menstrual cylcle: Wrist-worn device measuring accelerations as a measure of daily activity, in cpm, counts per minute.; Determination of concentration of iron (μg/dL), ferritin (ng/mL), and transferrin (mg/dL), during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase.; Determination of concentration of hemoglobin (g/dL), red blood cells (10^6/μL), hematocrit (%), white blood cells (10^3/μl), platelets (10^3/μl), during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase.; Determination of weight (kg), total body water (L), proteins (kg), minerals (kg), body fat mass (kg), body mass index (BMI) (kg/m2), basal metabolic rate (kcal) by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis, during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase.; Determination of blood pressure (mmHg) and heart rate (bpm) at baseline, one minute and three minutes after the Course Navette test; Pre-test questions about possible forgetfulness or mishandling of the method; Urine LH test strips are performed from day 8 of the cycle until positive.
Intervention MeSH terms: Contraceptive Agents; Hormones
Observational model: Case-Only
Time perspective: Prospective
Sampling method: Non-Probability Sample
Study population: 
        Women between 18 and 40 years old, with regular menstrual cycles, who practice sport
        regularly, proven by federation and competition in a sport, and confirming the completion
        of at least 240 minutes of physical activity per week. In the case of women with hormonal
        contraception, they must be with the established method (minimum 6 months with it).
      
Keywords: Menstrual cycle; Performance; Hormonal verification; Contraception