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01-06-2011 | Original Article

No effect of menstrual cycle phase on fuel oxidation during exercise in rowers

Authors: Sille Vaiksaar, Jaak Jürimäe, Jarek Mäestu, Priit Purge, Svetlana Kalytka, Larissa Shakhlina, Toivo Jürimäe

Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology | Issue 6/2011

Abstract

The aim of this investigation was to examine the effects of menstrual cycle phase on substrate oxidation and lactate concentration during exercise. Eleven eumenorrheic female rowers (18.4 ± 1.9 years; 172.0 ± 4.0 cm; 67.2 ± 8.4 kg; 27.7 ± 4.8% body fat) completed 1 h rowing ergometer exercise at 70% of maximal oxygen consumption (VO_2max) during two different phases of the menstrual cycle: the follicular phase (FP) and the luteal phase (LP). Resting and exercise measurements of the whole body energy expenditure, oxygen consumption (VO₂), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), substrate oxidation and lactate blood levels were made. Energy expenditure, VO₂ and heart rate during the 1-h exercise were not significantly different (P > 0.05) among menstrual cycle phases. Resting RER and RER during the entire 1 h exercise period were not significantly different among menstrual cycle phases. There was an increase (P < 0.05) in RER in the transition between rest and exercise and a further increase in RER occurred after the first 30 min of exercise at both menstrual cycle phases. Blood lactate concentrations significantly increased in the transition between rest and exercise and remained relatively constant during the whole 1 h of exercise in both menstrual cycle phases. No menstrual cycle phase effect (P > 0.05) was observed for blood lactate concentrations. In conclusion, our results demonstrated no effect of menstrual cycle phase on substrate oxidation and blood lactate concentration during rowing exercise at 70% of VO_2max in athletes. Normally menstruating female rowers should not be concerned about their menstrual cycle phase with regard to substrate oxidation in everyday training.

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Title: No effect of menstrual cycle phase on fuel oxidation during exercise in rowers
Authors: Sille Vaiksaar
Jaak Jürimäe
Jarek Mäestu
Priit Purge
Svetlana Kalytka
Larissa Shakhlina
Toivo Jürimäe
Publication date: 01-06-2011
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: European Journal of Applied Physiology / Issue 6/2011
Print ISSN: 1439-6319
Electronic ISSN: 1439-6327
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-010-1730-1

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No effect of menstrual cycle phase on fuel oxidation during exercise in rowers

Abstract

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Abstract

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