Exercise Performance In Women Research Articles

Auditing the representation of hormonal contraceptives in studies assessing exercise performance in women

ABSTRACT Hormonal contraceptive (HC) users have a different ovarian hormonal profile compared to eumenorrheic women. Due to the prevalence of HC use amongst sportswomen, there has been increased research efforts to understand their impact on exercise performance. The aim was to audit this research. Studies identified were assessed for HC type, athlete calibre, performance outcome, study design, and quality of methodological control regarding ovarian hormonal profiles. Sixty-eight different HCs were reported across 61 studies. Monophasic combined oral contraceptive (OCP) pills represented 60% of HCs, followed by other pills [34%, phasic-combined, progestogen-only, and un-specified], phasic and long acting reversible contraceptives [5%, vaginal ring, patch, implant, injection, intrauterine system] and unspecified HCs (1%). Eleven percent of participants using HCs were classified as highly trained or elite/international with no participants being classed as world class. Whilst the number of studies involving HCs has increased two-fold over the past decade, the number of studies ranked as gold standard has not increased (HC; 2003–57%, 2011–55%, 2022–43%. OCP; 2003–14%, 2011–17%, 2022–12%). Future research assessing HCs and exercise performance should adopt high-quality research designs and include a broader range of HCs in highly trained to world-class populations to increase the reach and impact of research in this area.

Effect Of Co-ingestion Of Carbohydrate With Milk Post-exercise In Women By Menstrual Cycle Phase

PURPOSE: The effect of the post-exercise milk ingestion or co-ingestion of carbohydrate with milk contributes to the recovery of substrate and exercise capacity. However, little information exists on the effect of post-exercise milk consumption on substrate responses and subsequent performance in women. Estrogen, levels of which change with the menstrual cycle, increases fat metabolism. Therefore, one must consider the menstrual cycle when examining the effect of post-exercise milk ingestion in women. Here we aimed to assess the effects of a milk-based beverage on substrate recovery and subsequent exercise performance in women by menstrual cycle phase. METHODS: Twelve women with regular menstrual cycles participated (age, 22.2 ± 2.0 years; height, 1.59 ± 0.55 m; weight, 55.1 ± 6.0 kg; body mass index, 21.7 ± 1.9 kg/m2). The subjects performed glycogen-depleting exercise in the early follicular phase (EF) or late follicular phase (LF), followed by a 240-min recovery period, during which they ingested a carbohydrate beverage (control [CON] group) or carbohydrate dissolved in milk (MILK group). After 240 min, the subjects completed a performance test to exhaustion at 90% maximal workload capacity. Baseline blood samples were taken for the analysis of estradiol and progesterone levels. At t = 0, 120, and 240 min post-exercise, blood samples were taken for the determination of blood glucose, lactate, free fatty acid (FFA), and insulin levels. RESULTS: Serum estradiol levels were significantly higher in the LF (CON and MILK) than in the EF (CON and MILK) (p < 0.01). Serum progesterone levels were not significantly in each group at baseline (p = 0.054). The area under the curve (AUC) of FFA from t = 120 to t = 240 was significantly greater in the MILK (EF and LF) than in the CON (EF and LF) group (12.9 ± 2.3, 13.3 ± 3.6, 18.9 ± 5.5, 18.7 ± 5.6 for the EF + CON, LF + CON, EF + MILK, and LF + MILK, respectively; p < 0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between performance test completion and the AUC of FFA from t = 0 to t = 240 in each group (EF + CON, r = 0.69, p < 0.05; LF + CON, r = 0.59, p < 0.05; EF + MILK, r = 0.83, p < 0.01; LF + MILK, r = 0.65, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that circulating substrate and hormone levels during the short post-exercise recovery period may be affected by differences in beverage intake but not the menstrual cycle.

Anthropometry and high-speed exercise performance in women

Anthropometry and high-speed exercise performance in women

The Preventive role of Regular Physical Training in Ventricular Remodeling, Serum Cardiac Markers, and Exercise Performance Changes in Breast Cancer in Women Undergoing Trastuzumab Therapy-An REH-HER Study.

Cardiotoxicity is known as a severe clinical problem in oncological practice that reduces the options for cancer therapy. Physical exercise is recognized as a well-established protective measure for many heart and cancer diseases. In our study, we hypothesized that supervised and moderate-intensity exercise training would prevent heart failure and its consequences induced by trastuzumab therapy. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of physical training on ventricular remodeling, serum cardiac markers, and exercise performance in women with human epidermal growth receptor 2 (HER2+) breast cancer (BC) undergoing trastuzumab therapy. This was a prospective, randomized, clinical controlled trial. Forty-six BC women were randomized into either an intervention group (IG) or a control group (CG). An exercise program (IG) was performed after 3–6 months of trastuzumab therapy at 5 d/week (to 80% maximum heart rate (HRmax)) for 9 weeks. We then evaluated their cardiac function using echocardiography, a 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), and plasma parameters (C-reactive protein (CRP), myoglobin (MYO), interleukin-6 (IL-6), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and creatine kinase (CK)). After the physical training program, we did not observe any significant changes in the left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (LVEF) and 6MWT (p > 0.05) in the IG compared to the CG (decrease p < 0.05). The differences in the blood parameters were not significant (p < 0.05). To conclude, moderate-intensity exercise training prevented a decrease in the LVEF and physical capacity during trastuzumab therapy in HER2+ BC. Further research is needed to validate our results.

Women Experience the Same Ergogenic Response to Caffeine as Men.

This study aimed to determine whether 1) consumption of caffeine improves endurance cycling performance in women and 2) sex differences exist in the magnitude of the ergogenic and plasma responses to caffeine supplementation. Twenty-seven (11 women and 16 men) endurance-trained cyclists and triathletes participated in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. Participants completed an incremental exercise test to exhaustion, two familiarization trials, and two performance trials. Ninety minutes before the performance trials, participants ingested opaque capsules containing either 3 mg·kg body mass of anhydrous caffeine or a placebo. They then completed a set amount of work (75% of peak sustainable power output) in the fastest possible time. Plasma was sampled at baseline, preexercise, and postexercise for caffeine. Strict standardization and verification of diet, hydration, training volume and intensity, and contraceptive hormone phase (for women) were implemented. Performance time was significantly improved after caffeine administration in women (placebo: 3863 ± 419 s, caffeine: 3757 ± 312 s; P = 0.03) and men (placebo: 3903 ± 341 s, caffeine: 3734 ± 287 s; P < 0.001). The magnitude of performance improvement was similar for women (mean = 4.3%, 95% CI = 0.4%-8.2%) and men (4.6%, 2.3%-6.8%). Plasma caffeine concentrations were similar between sexes before exercise, but significantly greater in women after exercise (P < 0.001). Ingestion of 3 mg·kg body mass of caffeine enhanced endurance exercise performance in women. The magnitude of the performance enhancement observed in women was similar to that of men, despite significantly greater plasma caffeine concentrations after exercise in women. These results suggest that the current recommendations for caffeine intake (i.e., 3-6 mg·kg caffeine before exercise to enhance endurance performance), which are derived almost exclusively from studies on men, may also be applicable to women.

Effects of Supplementation of a Pre-workout on Power Maintenance in Lower Body and Upper Body Tasks in Women.

Currently there is a lack of research into how women respond to pre-workout supplementation. The effects of supplements on exercise performance in women, specifically to power, must be performed. This study investigated the effects of supplementation on power production and maintenance during a high-intensity cycle ergometry sprint performance, vertical jump performance, and bench press performance in women. It also investigated the effects of supplementation on power production and the maintenance of upper and lower body tasks in women. A total of 23 females (22.9 ± 3.6 years, 175.6 ± 6.5 cm, 86.9 ± 15.1 kg, 19.1 ± 8.4 body fat percentage (BF%) (mean ± std. dev.)) were familiarized with the testing protocol and maximal bench press performances were attained (49.5 ± 15.4 kg). Utilizing a double-blind crossover design, subjects completed three trials of: Five countermovement vertical jumps, a high-intensity cycle sprint protocol, which consisted of 10 maximal, five second cycle ergometer sprints. Subjects performed a velocity bench press test, utilizing 80% of their predetermined one repetition maximum (1RM) for 10 sets of three repetitions for maximal speed. For 20 min prior to each trial, the subjects ingested, in a randomized order, a pre-workout supplement (Supp), placebo+150 mg caffeine (Caff), or a placebo (PL). Peak power (PP), mean power (MP), and minimum power (MNP) were recorded for each sprint. Maximal velocity from each set was also recorded. Bike sprint and bench press data were normalized to the placebo trial for analysis. Blood lactate (bLa−) was measured immediately prior to each testing session, within 2 min of the completion of the last cycle sprint and following the bench press test. Bike sprint and bench press testing showed no significant differences through the testing sessions, but did significantly decline over test battery (p < 0.05). Vertical jump performance and lactate levels were not significantly different. Supplementation with a pre-workout supplement or placebo with caffeine 20 min prior to participation showed no positive benefits to performance in female participants.

Enhanced aerobic exercise performance in women by a combination of three mineral Chelates plus two conditionally essential nutrients

BackgroundCertain essential and conditionally essential nutrients (CENs) perform functions involved in aerobic exercise performance. However, increased intake of such nutrient combinations has not actually been shown to improve such performance.MethodsFor 1 mo, aerobically fit, young adult women took either a combination of 3 mineral glycinate complexes (daily dose: 36 mg iron, 15 mg zinc, and 2 mg copper) + 2 CENs (daily dose: 2 g carnitine and 400 mg phosphatidylserine), or the same combination with generic mineral complexes, or placebo (n = 14/group). In Trial 1, before and after 1 mo, subjects were tested for 3 mile run time (primary outcome), followed by distance covered in 25 min on a stationary bike (secondary outcome), followed by a 90 s step test (secondary outcome). To test reproducibility of the run results, and to examine a lower dose of carnitine, a second trial was done. New subjects took either mineral glycinates + CENs (1 g carnitine) or placebo (n = 17/group); subjects were tested for pre- and post-treatment 3 mile run time (primary outcome).ResultsIn Trial 1, the mineral glycinates + CENs decreased 3 mile run time (25.6 ± 2.4 vs 26.5 ± 2.3 min, p < 0.05, paired t-test) increased stationary bike distance after 25 min (6.5 ± 0.6 vs 6.0 ± 0.8 miles, p < 0.05, paired t-test), and increased steps in the step test (43.8 ± 4.8 vs 40.3 ± 6.4 steps, p < 0.05, paired t-test). The placebo significantly affected only the biking distance, but it was less than for the glycinates-CENs treatment (0.2 ± 0.4. vs 0.5 ± 0.1 miles, p < 0.05, ANOVA + Tukey). The generic minerals + CENs only significantly affected the step test (44.1 ± 5.2 vs 41.0 ± 5.9 steps, p < 0.05, paired t-test) In Trial 2, 3 mile run time was decreased for the mineral glycinates + CENs (23.9 ± 3.1 vs 24.7 ± 2.5, p < 0.005, paired t-test), but not by the placebo. All changes for Test Formula II or III were high compared to placebo (1.9 to 4.9, Cohen’s D), and high for Test Formula II vs I for running and biking (3.2 & 3.5, Cohen’s D).ConclusionIn summary, a combination of certain mineral complexes plus two CENs improved aerobic exercise performance in fit young adult women.

Beneficial effects of training at the anaerobic threshold in addition to pharmacotherapy on weight loss, body composition, and exercise performance in women with obesity.

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine and compare the effects of weight loss achieved through orlistat therapy alone or a combination of orlistat and an aerobic exercise training program on aerobic fitness and body composition in obese females.MethodsTwenty-eight obese patients were randomly assigned to receive 12-week treatment with hypocaloric diet–orlistat or diet–orlistat–exercise. Each participant performed an incremental ramp exercise test every 4 weeks to measure aerobic fitness. Fourteen participants performed continuous exercise (approximately 45 minutes per session) at a work rate corresponding to the anaerobic threshold three times per week.ResultsA decrease in the fat mass to body weight ratio of 3.8% (P=0.006) was observed at the end of the 12 weeks in the orlistat group, while a decrease of 9.5% (P=0.001) was seen in the orlistat–exercise group. Maximal exercise capacity increased by 46.5% in the orlistat–exercise group and by 19.5% in the orlistat group.ConclusionWhile orlistat therapy resulted in an improvement in body composition and aerobic fitness at the end of the 12-week period, its combination with exercise training provided improvements in the same parameters within the first 4 weeks of the study. These additional beneficial effects of combining aerobic exercise with orlistat therapy are important with regards to obesity-associated risk factors.

Effects of dietary macronutrient distribution on resting and post-exercise metabolism

Background Previous research has demonstrated that habitual dietary macronutrient distribution affects energy substrate utilization at rest and during exercise. The primary purpose of the current study was to examine the relationships between habitual baseline macronutrient intakes, expressed relative to bodyweight and percentage of total energy intake, and metabolism at rest and after exercise in women. Methods Twenty recreationally active women (Mean ± SD; Age 24.6 ± 3.9 yrs; Height 164.4 ± 6.6 cm; Weight 62.7 ± 6.6 kg; BF% 28.2 ± 4.8%) volunteered for the current study. Prior to metabolic testing, participants completed strength testing to determine their 1RM for six resistance exercises and completed a 3-day dietary log. Participants were provided with detailed instructions for accurately logging food intake and portion sizes, and instructed to record their regular food intake on two week days and one weekend day. Logs were analyzed using The Food Processor software (ESHA Research, Salem, OR, USA). Body composition was determined using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Exercise was prescribed using baseline strength data and heart rate reserve calculations. Respiratory exchange ratio (RER) and resting energy expenditure (REE) were analyzed via indirect calorimetry (Parvomedics TrueOne 2400) before exercise (PRE), and during minutes 0-10 (IP), 25-35 (30min), and 50-60 (60min) post-exercise. Bivariate correlations and independent samples t-tests were completed using SPSS software (Version 19.0; IBM, Somers, NY, USA). Participants were stratified based on fat intake as a percentage of total caloric intake (high fat > 35% of total kcals, n=11; low fat 1.3 g/kg, n=11; low fat 35% of kilocalories from fat had a significantly higher bench press 1RM (p=0.048) and lower RER at 30min (p=0.033) and 60 min (p=0.033). Participants consuming > 1.3 g/kg of fat per day trended toward lower fat mass (p=0.09) and BF% (p=0.07). Conclusions Results indicate that baseline macronutrient distribution impacts post-exercise energy metabolism in women. Higher fat and lower CHO intake was associated with greater post-exercise REE and lower post-exercise RER, indicating greater fat utilization. Higher fat intakes may also influence resistance exercise performance and body composition; participants with higher fat intake had a greater bench press 1RM and trended towards lower indices of adiposity. These results suggest that the relative contributions of CHO and fat to total caloric intake may have significant implications for metabolism and body composition in women. Future research should evaluate the effects of modulating habitual macronutrient distribution to impart favorable effects on energy metabolism, body composition, and resistance exercise performance in women.

Enhanced aerobic exercise performance in women by a combination of three mineral chelates plus two conditionally essential nutrients (634.7)

Active, young adult women often eat less than optimal levels of iron, zinc and copper, a situation not always corrected by use of multi‐vitamin‐mineral supplements (which often omit iron and often only include zinc and copper in non‐ideal forms). Similarly, intake of carnitine and phosphatidylserine, two conditionally essential nutrients (CENs), may fall below what maximally enhances aerobic energy metabolism. Therefore, a study was done where aerobically fit, young adult, non‐anemic women consumed one of the following for about a month: placebo, glycinate complexes of the 3 minerals + the CENs, or generic versions of the 3 minerals + the CENs. Before and after the treatment, subjects were tested for time in a 3 mile run, followed shortly by distance covered in 25 minutes of stationary biking, followed shortly by performance in a 90 second step test. The mineral glycinates + CENs produced substantial improvements in all three tests (ie mean run time decrease of 54 seconds). The placebo had a significant effect only on the biking distance, though it was less than the mineral glycinates + CENs. The generic minerals + CENs only significantly affected the step test. In summary, a combination of certain mineral complexes plus two non‐essential organic nutrients improved aerobic exercise performance in fit young adult women.Grant Funding Source: Gatorade Institutue

Can Submaximal Exercise Variables Predict Peak Exercise Performance in Women with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

This study aimed at examining whether physiological exercise variables at the submaximal level, defined as 75% of the age-predicted target heart rate, are able to predict peak exercise performance in women with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) (n=222). Subjects performed a bicycle ergometric test against a graded increase in workload until exhaustion with continuous monitoring of electrocardiographic and ventilatory variables. Oxygen uptake at the submaximal level (VO2SUBMAX) correlated strongly with peak oxygen uptake (VO2PEAK) (r=0.70). For the prediction of VO2PEAK, linear regression analysis determined the line of best fit as: VO2PEAK=0.95xVO2SUBMAX+372.3. Using this equation, the mean error in the prediction was 14.6+/-11.2% (range 0.1-63.7%). It is concluded that the prediction of VO2PEAK based on VO2SUBMAX might be useful for analyzing group differences or treatment effects but not for individual (clinical) purposes.

Effects of increased body weight on blood pressure and exercise performance in women with spinal injury

Effects of increased body weight on blood pressure and exercise performance in women with spinal injury

Effect of a Synthetic Progestin on the Exercise Status of Sedentary Young Women

The impact of progestins on exercise performance in women has not been previously studied. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of a synthetic progestin on aspects of exercise status in young women. DESIGN, PATIENTS, SETTING: Twenty-three young, healthy, habitually sedentary women participated in a single-blind, randomized, counterbalanced, cross-over study in a university-based laboratory setting. Two monophasic oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) were administered in which the dose of the synthetic progestin, norethisterone, was 2-fold different but the dose of the synthetic estrogen, ethinyl estradiol, was constant. During each month of OCP aspects of exercise status were assessed during incremental exercise to exhaustion and steady-state submaximal exercise and with a performance test. The main outcome measures were peak oxygen uptake (VO(2peak)), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), time to exhaustion, lactate concentrations, and total work done. Peak heart rates were approximately 95% of age-predicted values with both OCP preparations, whereas VO(2peak) was approximately 30% above age-predicted values. Peak postincremental exercise plasma lactate concentrations exceeded those reported for males and females, whereas the RER was below expected values throughout both incremental and steady-state exercise. The effects on VO(2peak) and RER were increased with the higher dose progestin OCP, as were exercise time to exhaustion and total work done. Synthetic progestins in OCP formulations can have a significant effect on the exercise status of young, sedentary women, possibly through an effect on stroke volume and a shift in the principal energy substrate used during exercise from carbohydrate to lipid.

The acute effects of sublingual 17β-estradiol on the cardiovascular system

The beneficial effects of estrogen in postmenopausal women have been well documented. Cardioprotection by estrogen, which is probably the result of several metabolic alterations, appears after 2 or more years of constant use. However, acute administration of estrogen (intravenous or intracoronary) was found to improve cardiac hemodynamics and function through various non-genomic mechanisms. This article reviews data on the consequences of sublingual administration of estrogen, a non-invasive and simple dosing route which is associated with rapid absorption and prompt cardiovascular reactions. It appears that sublingual estradiol at 1 or 2 mg may improve ischemia and exercise performance in women with coronary artery disease, and augment the aortic and brachial blood flow as a result of vasodilation, whereas larger doses (4 mg) may lead to a decrease in myocardial contractility and aortic blood flow, and a slight drop in blood pressure. More data are needed to evaluate the actual clinical significance of sublingual estradiol in healthy women, in situations when endothelial dysfunction is anticipated (diabetes, hypertension) and in women with diagnosed coronary artery disease.