Comparison of adaptability of the pulmonary system to exercise in proliferative phase of menstrual cycle in a group of trained and untrained perimenopausal women

Abstract

Background: The role of estrogen on pulmonary function test (PFT) was well-known in the normal course of the menstrual cycle. Significant increase in both progesterone (37%) and estradiol (13.5%), whereas no change in plasma follicle stimulating hormone and leutinising hormone (FSH and LH)was observed in exercising women in previous studies. Therefore, this study was intended to see the limitations of the pulmonary system in adaptability to exercise in proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle in perimenopausal women. Materials and Methods: 10 Subjects in each group were subjected to treadmill exercise testing and cardio-respiratory parameters were recorded. Results: It was observed that exercise per se does not cause a statistically significant change in dynamic lung function parameters maximum mid expiratory flow (MMEF), peak expiratory flow rate, mid expiratory flow 25-75% in either of the groups. Conclusion: This finding supports the hypothesis that the respiratory system is not normally the most limiting factor in the delivery of oxygen even under the predominant influence of estrogen in proliferative phase, which is further accentuated by exercise.