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European Journal of Applied Physiology

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01-05-2014 | Original Article

The effect of prior eccentric exercise on heavy-intensity cycling: the role of gender and oral contraceptives

Authors: Sarah Joyce, Surendran Sabapathy, Andrew C. Bulmer, Clare Minahan

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 5/2014

Abstract

Purpose

To determine if gender and/or the use of oral contraceptives alter cycling performance with exercise-induced muscle damage (EiMD).

Methods

Nine male adults (MEN), nine normally menstruating female adults (WomenNM), and nine female adults using oral contraceptives (WomenOC) participated. Gas exchange and time to exhaustion were measured during continuous cycling performed at three distinct power outputs before (pre) and 48 h after (post) 240 maximal effort eccentric contractions of the quadriceps muscles designed to induce muscle damage (i.e., EiMD).

Results

The change in muscle damage (i.e., range of motion about the knee joint and serum creatine kinase activity) from pre- compared to post-EiMD was greater in MEN and WomenOC compared to the WomenNM. Time to exhaustion decreased after EiMD in MEN (5.19 ± 4.58 min, p = 0.01) and in WomenOC (2.86 ± 2.83 min, p = 0.02) but did not change in WomenNM (0.98 ± 2.28 min, p = 0.43). Accordingly, the slow component of O₂ uptake, expressed relative to time to exhaustion (i.e., % min⁻¹), was greater in post- compared to pre-EiMD for MEN (p = 0.02) and the WomenOC (p = 0.03), but not for the WomenNM (p = 0.12).

Conclusion

The preservation of exercise tolerance during heavy-intensity cycling performed after intense eccentric exercise is improved in women compared to men. Furthermore, the preservation of exercise tolerance is exclusive to 17β-estradiol and cannot be replicated with an exogenous synthetic estrogen replacement delivered in an oral contraceptive.

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Title: The effect of prior eccentric exercise on heavy-intensity cycling: the role of gender and oral contraceptives
Authors: Sarah Joyce
Surendran Sabapathy
Andrew C. Bulmer
Clare Minahan
Publication date: 01-05-2014
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 5/2014
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-014-2832-y

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

The effect of prior eccentric exercise on heavy-intensity cycling: the role of gender and oral contraceptives

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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