Examining the Role of Female Endogenous Sex Hormones in Eccentric Exercise

University of Southern California

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Inflammatory Response

Treatments: Behavioral: Eccentric leg extension

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05934708

HS-23-00363

Details and patient eligibility

About

The fluctuating concentrations of female sex hormones, namely estrogen and progesterone may have an effect on the ability of the tissue to withstand challenging exercise conditions, such as eccentric exercise. These sex hormones have also been purported to influence the perceived difficulty of exercise. This study aims to uncover how the different estrogen and progesterone concentrations present throughout the menstrual cycle effect perceived readiness to perform, perceptions of difficulty, and different recovery metrics.

Full description

Although nearly half of the population is female, less than 10% of research resources are allocated to understanding how their dynamic physiology impacts athletic readiness, performance, and recovery. The fluctuating concentrations of female sex hormones, namely estrogen and progesterone may have an effect on the ability of the tissue to withstand challenging exercise conditions, such as eccentric exercise. This study aims to uncover how the different estrogen and progesterone concentrations present throughout the menstrual cycle effect perceived readiness to perform, perceptions of difficulty, and the inflammatory environment and quantification of muscle damage.

Enrollment: 30 estimated patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18 to 35 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• 18-35 years of age
• BMI of 18.5-29.9 as a BMI below or above these cut points results in highly varied menstrual cycle lengths [15]
• Not taking contraception or other types of medication that could influence reproductive status
• Regular menstruation
• Non-pregnant
• Medically free from chronic diseases
• Novel to downhill running
• Weight greater than or equal to 110 lbs
• Not taking exogenous hormones
• Not suffering from known gynecological disease (i.e., PCOS, endometriosis, etc.) that may influence menstrual cycle regularity

Exclusion criteria

• Amenorrhea or oligomenorrhea
• Perimenopausal or menopausal
• Recreational or professional trail or downhill runner
• On a form of contraception
• Cardiac disability
• Pacemaker
• Arterial disease
• Uncontrolled hemorrhage
• Blood clots
• Pregnant or trying to become pregnant
• Cancerous lesions
• Sensory or mental impairment
• Unstable fractures
• Weight less than 110 lbs
• Suffering from gynecological disease (i.e., PCOS, endometriosis, etc.) that may influence menstrual cycle regularity
• Taking exogenous hormones

Trial design

Primary purpose: Health Services Research

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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30 participants in 3 patient groups

Low estrogen; low progesterone

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will come in while on their period. During this time estrogen and progesterone concentrations are low.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Eccentric leg extension

High estrogen; low progesterone

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will come in just before ovulation, when estrogen concentrations are high and progesterone concentrations remain low.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Eccentric leg extension

Medium estrogen; high progesterone

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will come in just after ovulation when estrogen concentrations are at a medium level, and progesterone concentrations are high.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Eccentric leg extension