Hormonal Balance, Anovulatory Cycles, and Luteal Phase Deficiency: Exploring Relationships Between Hematological Variables and V̇O2max in Athletes
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This study explores the impact of the menstrual cycle on physical fitness in female athletes. It highlights the role of fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone during the menstrual cycle, noting that regular bleeding does not necessarily indicate ovulation. The study recruited 27 women aged 18 to 40, all athletes classified as level II-III according to McKay et al. (2022) based on training volume and activity metrics. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed using V̇O2max measurements, and blood and urine samples were collected to determine the menstrual phase and detect ovulation. Progesterone levels were analyzed to confirm ovulation, with a threshold of 16 nmol/L in the mid-luteal phase. 26% of participants did not meet this threshold, indicating anovulatory or deficient luteal phases, leading to the creation of two groups: ovulatory (n=20) and anovulatory (n=7). No significant differences in age, weight, BMI, or V̇O2max were found between groups during the bleeding phase. While female sex hormones varied significantly in the ovulatory group, they remained stable in the anovulatory group. V̇O2max levels changed significantly in the ovulatory group (p=3.78E-4), while no changes were observed in the anovulatory group (p=0.638). The study reveals a high prevalence of anovulatory cycles in female athletes and suggests that women with anovulatory cycles may maintain stable fitness levels, while training loads for those with ovulatory cycles could be adjusted according to menstrual phases. Monitoring ovulation alongside menstrual bleeding is crucial for improving understanding of women's reproductive health.
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