Oral contraceptive pill use and the susceptibility to markers of exercise-induced muscle damage

K M Hicks,C I Morse,G Onambélé-Pearson,K Winwood

doi:10.1007/s00421-017-3629-6

K M Hicks, C I Morse + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-017-3629-6

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Abstract

PurposeFirstly, to establish whether oral contraceptive pill (OCP) users are more susceptible to muscle damage compared to non-users, and secondly, to establish whether differences can be attributed to differences in patella tendon properties.MethodsNine female OCP users and 9 female non-users participated in the investigation. Combining dynamometry, electromyography and ultrasonography, patella tendon properties and vastus lateralis architectural properties were measured pre and during the first of 6 sets of 12 maximal voluntary eccentric knee extensions. Serum oestrogen levels were measured on the 7th day of the pill cycle and the 14th day of menstrual cycle in OCP users and non-users, respectively. Maximal voluntary isometric knee extension torque loss, creatine kinase and muscle soreness were measured 48 h pre-damage, post-damage, and 48, 96 and 168 h post-damage.ResultsOestrogen levels were significantly lower in OCP users compared to non-users (209 ± 115 and 433 ± 147 pg/ml, respectively, p = 0.004). Proposed determinants of muscle damage, patella tendon stiffness and maximal eccentric torque did not differ between OCP users and non-users. The change in creatine kinase from pre to peak was significantly higher in OCP users compared to non-users (962 ± 968 and 386 ± 474 Ul, respectively, p = 0.016). There were no other differences in markers of muscle damage.ConclusionAlthough our findings suggest that, when compared to non-users, the OCP may augment the creatine kinase response following eccentric exercise, it does not increase the susceptibility to any other markers of muscle damage.

Highlights

Exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) has been shown to be lower in females compared to males (Joyce et al 2014; Sewright et al 2008)
The current study found that (1) the creatine kinase (CK) response was augmented in oral contraceptive pill (OCP) users compared to non-users; MVCKE torque loss and muscle soreness were not different; (2) the patella tendon properties were not significantly different between the OCP users and non-users and, as such, did not contribute to the observed significant difference in EIMD
The circulating oestrogen levels within the OCP users were 2.8 times higher than oestrogen levels within OCP users reported by Bryant et al (2008)

Summary

Introduction

Exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) has been shown to be lower in females compared to males (Joyce et al 2014; Sewright et al 2008). It has been suggested that this attenuated EIMD is due to the direct antioxidant properties of oestrogen (Carter et al 2001). An indirect role of oestrogen in suppressing EIMD, through altering the. The role of oestrogen in attenuating EIMD has been assessed through the manipulation of circulating levels in animals and has been shown to attenuate EIMD in both male and female rats (Amelink et al 1990, 1991; Bär et al 1988). Bär et al (1988) reported that the increase in creatine kinase (CK) post-EIMD, in both males and ovariectomised female rats, was suppressed by oestrogen supplements prior to EIMD. Within human studies, oestrogen levels can be manipulated through the use of synthetic hormones [e.g. hormone replacement therapy and the oral contraceptive pill (OCP)]

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