Effects of Resistance Training in Body Composition and Body Image Perception of Women Throughout the Menstrual Cycle

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The objective of this research study is two-fold, 1) to determine if body composition and body image perception are affected through the different phases of the menstrual cycle, and 2) if an acute session of resistance training can have different effects depending on the menstrual cycle phase.

Detailed Description
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The purpose of the research is to establish whether body composition and body image perception are affected throughout the different phases of the menstrual cycle and if the perception can be modified through resistance training. To the best of our knowledge, only one study has analyzed the effects of the menstrual cycle on body image perception. However, research analyzing the effects of the menstrual cycle on both body image perception and, body composition is lacking. Furthermore, research in the effects of resistance training on menstrual cycle-related changes on both perceived and measured body composition are inexistent. Findings from this study have the potential to increase the knowledge about resistance training's effects in modulating body image perception throughout the menstrual cycle. Further understanding of these responses may set the groundwork to develop exercise intervention programs to reduce the risk of developing more serious mental conditions linked to unhealthy body image perception.

Official Title
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Effects of Resistance Training in Body Composition and Body Image Perception of Women Throughout the Menstrual Cycle

Conditions
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Body Image Disturbance

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: EFP
* Behavioral: LFP
* Behavioral: ELP
* Behavioral: LLP


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Female Sedentary or Active 18.5-34.9 kg/m2 BMI Normal menstrual cycle defined as 28 to 30 days and a duration of 3 to 7 days Age range is 18-45 years old The inclusion of other participants may alter the results as an increase in body fat has been linked to known changes in different hormonal levels and those changes might influence substrate utilization Changes in the hormonal status of pre-menopausal women may appear without symptoms Younger females also display variations in their hormones since they are going through the process of development Exclusion Criteria: Previous physiological and mental health history Pregnant females Males Irregular menstrual cycle, menstrual dysfunction or unusual sex hormone levels Musculoskeletal injuries Contraceptives, a medication that alters hormonal or cardio-respiratory responses Pre-menopausal symptoms On moderate to high-intensity exercise regime more than 2 days/week

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 45 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Early Follicular Phase (EFP)<br>The group will engage in the Resistance Training intervention on the fourth day of their menstrual cycle, which will correlate with the middle of the early follicular phase (EFP). | Behavioral: EFP<br>* This intervention will take place on day 4 of the participants' menstrual cycle. This will correspond to the mid-point of the early follicular phase (EFP).<br>|
| Experimental: Late Follicular Phase (LFP)<br>The group will engage in the Resistance Training intervention on the eleventh day of their menstrual cycle, which will correlate with the middle of the late follicular phase (LFP). | Behavioral: LFP<br>* The intervention will take place on day 8 of the participants' menstrual cycle. This will correspond to the mid-point of the late follicular phase (LFP).<br>|
| Experimental: Early Luteal Phase (ELP)<br>The group will engage in the Resistance Training intervention on the eighteenth of their menstrual cycle, which will correlate with the middle of the early luteal phase (ELP). | Behavioral: ELP<br>* The intervention will take place on day 18 of the participants' menstrual cycle. This will correspond to the mid-point of the early luteal phase (ELP).<br>|
| Experimental: Late Luteal Phase (LLP)<br>The group will engage in the Resistance Training intervention on the twenty-fifth day of their menstrual cycle, which will correlate with the middle of the late luteal phase (LLP). | Behavioral: LLP<br>* The intervention will take place on day 25 of the participants' menstrual cycle. This will correspond to the mid-point of the late luteal phase (LLP).<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Body Image Perception through questionnaire | Participants will be distributed the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire-Appearance Scale (MBSRQ-AS) to measure their body image perceptions. | Through study completion: an average of 1 month | 
| Body Image Perception through drawing scale | Participants will be distributed the Contour Drawing Rating Scale to measure their body image perception. | Through study completion: an average of 1 month | 
| Barriers to Weight Control | Participants will be distributed the Survey of Barriers to Weight Control to measure their body image perception. | Through study completion: an average of 1 month | 
| Fat Mass in Kilograms | We will measure fat mass using the Dual-Energy Xray Absorptiometry (DXA) | Through study completion: an average of 1 month | 
| Lean Body Mass in Kilograms | We will measure lean body mass using the Dual-Energy Xray Absorptiometry (DXA) | Through study completion: an average of 1 month | 
| Relative Body Fat | We will measure relative body fat (percentage) using the Dual-Energy Xray Absorptiometry (DXA) | Through study completion: an average of 1 month | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Bench Press One Repetition Maximum | Participants muscular strength will be assessed by a one-repetition (1RM) on bench press | At baseline: 1 assessment point prior randomization | 
| Leg Press One Repetition Maximum | Participants lower body muscular strength will be assessed by a one-repetition (1RM) on leg press | At baseline: 1 assessment point prior randomization | 
| Dietary habits | The participants diet will be recorded using the ASA-24h recall | Before each exercise session: 1 assessment point on each menstrual cycle phase | 
| Estrogen (Estradiol) levels | Blood will be drawn from the participants for assessment of the estrogen hormone | Before each exercise session: 1 assessment point on each menstrual cycle phase | 
| Progesterone levels | Blood will be drawn from the participants for assessment of the progesterone hormone | Before each exercise session: 1 assessment point on each menstrual cycle phase | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Menstrual Cycle, Resistance Training, Body Composition, Intervention, Exercise