Abstract
This article discusses the research supporting that the hormonal changes across the menstrual cycle phases affect a woman’s physiology during exercise, specifically addressing aspects of energy substrate metabolism and macro-nutrient utilization and oxidation. The overarching aim is to provide a perspective on what are the limitations of earlier research studies that have concluded such hormonal changes do not affect energy metabolism. Furthermore, suggestions are made concerning research approaches in future studies to increase the likelihood of providing evidence-based data in support of the perspective that menstrual cycle hormonal changes do affect energy metabolism in exercising women.
Highlights
The number of women engaged in physical exercise for health and sporting endeavors has grown exponentially in recent decades [1]
It is well established that the availability and utilization of energy substrates during an exercise session are critically instrumental in enhancing human physical performance capacity [8,9]
Most studies in women have not detected any difference in energy substrate metabolism at rest between menstrual cycle phases [12], but stored energy reserves are reported to differ
Summary
The number of women engaged in physical exercise for health and sporting endeavors has grown exponentially in recent decades [1]. The circulating levels of female sex steroid hormones (FSSH) fluctuate in eumenorrheic women during their reproductive years as they progress through the phases of their menstrual cycle (i.e., menses, follicular, ovulation, luteal) [5,10] As such, these changes in FSSH across the menstrual cycle can potentially mediate aspects of carbohydrate and fat metabolism at rest or in response to an exercise bout at different times in the cycle. The intent of this commentary article is to address select aspects of this topic It presents those factors that have historically led potentially to the ambiguity in the research findings on this topic and to argue for the perspective that the menstrual cycle hormonal changes do affect a woman’s energy metabolism during exercise. For those readers unfamiliar with the physiology and endocrinology of the menstrual cycle, select review articles [5,10] are recommended for an overview of these topics
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