Clinical trial NCT05934708: Examining the Role of Female Endogenous Sex Hormones in Eccentric Exercise
Official title: Examining the Role of Female Endogenous Sex Hormones in Eccentric Exercise
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
Phase: NA
Conditions: Inflammatory Response
Keywords: menstrual cycle
exercise
Lead sponsor: University of Southern California
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2023-07-07
Enrollment: 30
Sex: FEMALE
Minimum age (years): 18
Maximum age (years): 35
Standard ages: ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH

Brief summary: The fluctuating concentrations of female sex hormones, namely estrogen and progesterone may have an effect on the ability of the tissue to withstand challenging exercise conditions, such as eccentric exercise. These sex hormones have also been purported to influence the perceived difficulty of exercise. This study aims to uncover how the different estrogen and progesterone concentrations present throughout the menstrual cycle effect perceived readiness to perform, perceptions of difficulty, and different recovery metrics.

Detailed description: Although nearly half of the population is female, less than 10% of research resources are allocated to understanding how their dynamic physiology impacts athletic readiness, performance, and recovery. The fluctuating concentrations of female sex hormones, namely estrogen and progesterone may have an effect on the ability of the tissue to withstand challenging exercise conditions, such as eccentric exercise. This study aims to uncover how the different estrogen and progesterone concentrations present throughout the menstrual cycle effect perceived readiness to perform, perceptions of difficulty, and the inflammatory environment and quantification of muscle damage.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* 18-35 years of age
* BMI of 18.5-29.9 as a BMI below or above these cut points results in highly varied menstrual cycle lengths \[15\]
* Not taking contraception or other types of medication that could influence reproductive status
* Regular menstruation
* Non-pregnant
* Medically free from chronic diseases
* Novel to downhill running
* Weight greater than or equal to 110 lbs
* Not taking exogenous hormones
* Not suffering from known gynecological disease (i.e., PCOS, endometriosis, etc.) that may influence menstrual cycle regularity

Exclusion Criteria:

* Amenorrhea or oligomenorrhea
* Perimenopausal or menopausal
* Recreational or professional trail or downhill runner
* On a form of contraception
* Cardiac disability
* Pacemaker
* Arterial disease
* Uncontrolled hemorrhage
* Blood clots
* Pregnant or trying to become pregnant
* Cancerous lesions
* Sensory or mental impairment
* Unstable fractures
* Weight less than 110 lbs
* Suffering from gynecological disease (i.e., PCOS, endometriosis, etc.) that may influence menstrual cycle regularity
* Taking exogenous hormones

Primary outcomes:
measure: Preparedness to perform
timeFrame: Pre exercise
measure: Rating of difficulty
timeFrame: 30 minutes
measure: Inflammatory markers
timeFrame: Change over time (pre/post, 24 hour, 48 hour)
measure: Counter movement jump height
timeFrame: Change over time (pre/post, 24 hour, 48 hour)
measure: Passive Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS)
timeFrame: Change over time (pre/post, 24 hour, 48 hour)
measure: Active Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS)
timeFrame: Change over time (pre/post, 24 hour, 48 hour)
Secondary outcomes:
Other outcomes:
Locations:
Study officials:
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