Menu
Recruiting NCT06744517

Influence of Menstrual Cycle Phase on Adaptations to Sprint Interval Training

No phase Interventional Healthy

For patients and families

In plain language

An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.

What is being studied
The protocol lists: Sprint Interval Training.
Who it may be relevant to
Registry conditions: Healthy. Basic parameters: 18 years — 35 years · Female.
What needs checking
Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
Where it takes place
Canada
Next step
Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →

Unsure about the terms? Read our patient guide →

Official title

Influence of Menstrual Cycle Phase on Metabolic and Performance Adaptations to Sprint Interval Training

Overview

Sprint interval training improves endurance performance and induces metabolic adaptations in muscle. Most research demonstrating these responses has been conducted in males, with limited studies evaluating changes to endurance performance and skeletal muscle oxidative capacity in females. Moreover, it is currently unknown if training in specific phases of the menstrual cycle influences adaptations to training. Thus, the purpose of the present study is to compare adaptations to 2 weeks of sprint interval training performed in the follicular vs. luteal phase of the menstrual cycle in healthy, eumenorrheic women.

Detailed description

The primary purpose of the present study is to determine if menstrual cycle phase influences adaptations to 2 weeks of sprint interval training. Participants will be randomized to perform 6 sessions of sprint interval training over 2 weeks in either the Follicular Phase or Luteal Phase of their individual menstrual cycle. Blood and urine sampling will be used to confirm menstrual cycle phases. Training will involve 4-6 x 30-second Wingate sprints with 4 minutes of rest in between (\~14-28 min per session). Before and after the training intervention, investigators will measure participant's aerobic and anaerobic performance, cardiorespiratory fitness and skeletal muscle outcomes. Performance and fitness measures are performed on on a stationary bike, and muscle outcomes are measured by taking a small amount of muscle from the vastus lateralis (thigh) muscle.

This study will advance knowledge on how the menstrual cycle influences adaptations to training in females

Interventions

  • Other Sprint Interval Training
    6 sessions of sprint interval training over 2 weeks. Each session involves 4-6 x 30 second Wingate sprints with 4 minutes of recovery in between on a stationary bike

Primary outcome measures

  • Endurance performance [Time frame: Before and after 2 weeks of exercise training]
Secondary outcome measures (7)
  • Skeletal muscle mitochondrial content [Time frame: Before and after 2 weeks of exercise training]
  • Skeletal muscle mitochondrial enzyme activity [Time frame: Before and after 2 weeks of exercise training]
  • Skeletal muscle capillarization [Time frame: Before and after 2 weeks of exercise training]
  • Skeletal muscle lipid content [Time frame: Before and after 2 weeks of exercise training]
  • Skeletal muscle protein synthesis [Time frame: Before and after 2 weeks of exercise training]
  • Cardiorespiratory fitness [Time frame: Before and after 2 weeks of exercise training]
  • Anaerobic exercise performance [Time frame: Before and after 2 weeks of exercise training]

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria

  • Participating in 150 min of moderate-vigorous physical activity/week
  • VO2peak of 'good' or above based on American College of Sport Medicine (ACSM) normative values(greater than 35.0ml/kg/min)
  • Body mass index (BMI) between 18-27 kg/m2
  • Performing 2-4 structured exercise sessions/week.
  • Weight stable (within ± 2kg for at least 6 months)
  • Non-smoker
  • Menstrual cycle length of 27-35 days
  • Minimal menstrual cycle length variability (less than 3 days)
  • Ovulating monthly evidenced by a positive urinary luteinizing hormone surge
  • Blood progesterone concentration greater than 16 nmol/L.

Exclusion criteria

  • Hormonal contraceptive use within the last 3 months
  • Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) or endometriosis
  • Failure to meet MC verification criteria.
  • Diagnosed with cardiovascular or metabolic disease, hyper- or hypogonadism, and/or PCOS
  • The use of medication for managing blood glucose or lipid metabolism
  • Current use of oral contraceptives or use within the last 3 months
  • Irregular menstrual cycles (<27 days or >35 days)
  • Pregnant or post-partum in the last 12 months, lactating or breast feeding within 3 months of the start of study, or menopausal
  • Recreational smoking tobacco
  • Inability to perform the study exercise protocols or follow the pre-trial dietary or physical activity controls
  • Taking medications affecting substrate metabolism (corticosteroids or nSAIDs)
  • Actively engaging in a low-carbohydrate diet (e.g., ketogenic, Atkins)

Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.

Healthy volunteers: No

Study design

Allocation
Randomized
Model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Open label
Primary purpose
Basic science

Study locations

Canada · 1 center
  • Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport — Toronto

Identifiers

NCT: NCT06744517 · HSREB50581

Primary sources (government registries)

View this study on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗