Influence of oral contraceptive phase on cardiorespiratory response to exercise in endurance-trained athletes

Abstract

Objective

The aim of the study was to analyse the cardiorespiratory response to exercise during an oral contraceptive (OC) cycle in endurance-trained women.

Methods

Sixteen low-dose monophasic OC pill (OCP) users performed an interval-running protocol. The protocol consisted of eight 3 min bouts at 85% of participants’ maximal aerobic speed (vV̇o_2peak) with a 90s recovery at 30% vV̇o_2peak in two OC phases: a withdrawal phase (WP) and an active pill phase (APP). The non-parametric Wilcoxon test was applied to analyse differences (p < 0.05) in performance variables between OC cycle phases.

Results

Throughout the high-intensity intervals, higher ventilation (WP 80.90 ± 11.49 L/min, APP 83.10 ± 13.33 L/min; p < 0.001) and relative perceived exertion (WP 14.51 ± 2.58, APP 15.11 ± 3.11; p = 0.001) during the APP were found, whereas carbon dioxide production (WP 2040.92 ± 262.93 mL/min, APP 2010.25 ± 305.68 mL/min; p = 0.003) was higher in the WP. During the active recovery intervals, ventilation (WP 65.78 ± 9.90 L/min, APP 67.88 ± 12.66 L/min; p < 0.001) was higher in the APP, while heart rate (WP 159.93 ± 10.26 bpm, APP 159.74 ± 12.83 bpm; p = 0.029) was higher in the WP.

Conclusion

An increase in ventilation occurs during the APP, which is accompanied by higher perceived exertion. Therefore, coaches and athletes should be aware of these variations, especially perceived exertion, in regard to women’s training programmes, in order to improve their performance, wellness and adherence to physical activity.

摘要

目的：本研究的目的是分析进行耐力训练的女性在口服避孕药（OC）周期中对运动的心肺反应。

方法：16名服用低剂量单向OC药（OCP）的女性完成了间歇运动方案。在OC的两个阶段中：撤退阶段 （WP）和活性药片阶段（APP）完成8次3分钟的训练, 由受试者最大有氧速度 (vV̇O2peak) 的85%和90 秒的30% vV̇O2peak的恢复构成。采用非参数Wilcoxon检验分析OC周期各阶段的差异（p < 0.05）。

结果：在整个高强度间歇过程中, APP的通气量（WP 80.90±11.49L / min , APP 83.10±13.33L / min ; p < 0.001）和相对体力消耗（WP 14.51±2.58 , APP 15.11±3.11 ; p=0.001）较高, 而WP的二氧化碳生成量（WP 2040.92±262.93mL / min , APP 2010.25±305.68mL / min ; p=0.003 )较高。在主动恢复间歇过程中, APP中通气量（WP 65.78±9.90 L / min , APP 67.88±12.66 L / min ; p < 0.001 )较高, 而WP中心率（WP 159.93±10.26 bpm , APP 159.74±12.83 bpm ; p=0.029）较高。

结论：在APP过程中, 通气量增加, 伴随着更高的感知消耗。因此, 教练员和运动员应该意识到这些变化, 尤其是在女子训练计划中, 感知消耗, 以提高她们的成绩、健康和身体活动坚持性。

Keywords:

• Athletic performance
• ethinylestradiol
• progestins
• sex hormones
• ventilation

Authors contribution

Each author has contributed individually and significantly to the development of the manuscript: ABP and RC conceived the study; BR, EAC, NRP and VMAM performed the statistical analysis and drafted the manuscript; MART and AGA contributed to data interpretation and manuscript review. All authors have read and approved the final version of the manuscript and agree with the order of presentation of the authors.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

NRP and VMAM were funded by the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM). EAC was funded by the Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción. The IronFEMME study took place with the financial support of the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, Convocatoria de ayudas I + D 2016, Plan Estatal de Investigación Científica y Técnica y de Innovación 2013–2016 [contract DEP2016-75387-P].