Effects of acute aerobic exercise on arterial stiffness in transgender men.

Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) in transgender men (TM) results in side effects such as elevated triglycerides and increased arterial stiffness. Exercise may be useful to ameliorate such effects, but no studies have examined the effects of acute aerobic exercise in TM. This study aimed to investigate the effects of acute aerobic exercise on arterial stiffness in TM. Thirty-six participants were included, comprising 12 TM (duration of TRT: 57.4 ± 30.3 months), 12 males and 12 females. All participants performed acute aerobic exercise on a treadmill at 50% heart rate reserve for 30 min. Arterial stiffness as measured by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) was measured before exercise (Pre), 30 min after exercise (Post30), and 60 min after exercise (Post60). Serum sex hormone levels, and serum lipid profile were determined only before exercise. Serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels before exercise were significantly higher in TM than in males or females (males: p < 0.01; females: p < 0.05). At all points, baPWV in TM was significantly higher than in females (p < 0.05) and significantly lower than in males (p < 0.05). However, when comparing changes in baPWV over time in each group, significant decreases in Post30 and Post60 were seen in males compared to Pre (both p < 0.05), but no significant change after aerobic exercise was seen in TM or females. These results suggest that acute aerobic exercise yield different effects in TM than in males, but is unlikely to reduce arterial stiffness in TM receiving TRT.

Effects of the menstrual cycle on EPOC and fat oxidation after low-volume high-intensity interval training.

BACKGROUND: Low-volume high-intensity interval training (HIIT) for weight loss has become prevalent in recent years, with increased excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) as the mechanism. However, the influence of the menstrual cycle on EPOC and fat oxidation following low-volume HIIT is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effect of the menstrual cycle on the increase in EPOC and fat oxidation after low-volume HIIT. METHODS: Twelve eumenorrheic women participated during their early follicular and luteal phases. On each experimental day, they performed low-volume HIIT comprising fifteen repeated 8 s sprint cycling tests with 12 s rests, for 5 min. Expired gas samples were collected before and every 60 min until 180 min post-exercise. EPOC was defined as the increase in oxygen consumption from the resting state, and the total EPOC and fat oxidation were calculated from the total time of each measurement. Blood samples for serum estradiol, progesterone, free fatty acids, blood glucose, lactate, and plasma noradrenaline were collected and assessed before immediately after, and at 180 min post-exercise and were assessed. RESULTS: Serum estradiol and progesterone were significantly higher in the luteal phase than the follicular phase (P<0.01 for both). No significant differences in total EPOC and fat oxidation were found between the menstrual phases. Serum free fatty acid, blood glucose, lactate, and plasma noradrenaline concentrations were not affected by the menstrual cycle. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the menstrual cycle does not affect the increase in EPOC or fat oxidation after low-volume HIIT.

Influence of the Menstrual Cycle on Muscle Glycogen Repletion After Exhaustive Exercise in Eumenorrheic Women.

ABSTRACT: Matsuda, T, Takahashi, H, Nakamura, M, Ogata, H, Kanno, M, Ishikawa, A, and Sakamaki-Sunaga, M. Influence of the menstrual cycle on muscle glycogen repletion after exhaustive exercise in eumenorrheic women. J Strength Cond Res 37(4): e273-e279, 2023-The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the menstrual cycle on muscle glycogen repletion postexercise. Eleven women with regular menstrual cycles (age: 20.2 ± 1.3 years, height: 161.1 ± 4.8 cm, and body mass: 55.5 ± 5.7 kg) were assessed in 3 phases of the cycle: the early follicular phase (E-FP), late follicular phase (L-FP), and luteal phase (LP). Each test day began with glycogen-depleting exercise, followed by 5 hours of recovery. Muscle glycogen concentrations, using 13 C-magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and estradiol, progesterone, blood glucose, blood lactate, free fatty acid (FFA), and insulin concentrations were measured at t = 0, 120, and 300 minutes postexercise. During the 5-hour recovery period, subjects consumed 1.2g·(kg body mass) -1 ·h -1 of carbohydrates every 30 minutes. The muscle glycogen concentrations increased at t = 120 and t = 300 minutes postexercise ( p < 0.01) but were not significantly different between the menstrual cycle phases ( p = 0.30). Blood lactate concentrations were significantly higher in the L-FP and LP than in the E-FP ( p < 0.05). Nonetheless, the blood glucose, FFA, insulin concentrations, and the exercise time until exhaustion in the E-FP, L-FP, and LP were similar (blood glucose, p = 0.17; FFA, p = 0.50; insulin, p = 0.31; exercise time, p = 0.67). In conclusion, the menstrual cycle did not influence muscle glycogen repletion after exercise.

Effect of Green Tea Extract Ingestion on Fat Oxidation during Exercise in the Menstrual Cycle: A Pilot Study.

In women, fat oxidation during exercise changes with the menstrual cycle. This study aimed to investigate the effect of green tea extract (GTE) ingestion on fat oxidation during exercise depending on the menstrual cycle phase. Ten women with regular menstrual cycles participated in this randomized, double-blind, crossover study. GTE or placebo was administered during the menstrual cycle's follicular phase (FP) and luteal phase (LP). Participants cycled for 30 min at 50% maximal workload, and a respiratory gas analysis was performed. Serum estradiol, progesterone, free fatty acid, plasma noradrenaline, blood glucose, and lactate concentrations were assessed before, during, and after the exercise. Fat oxidation, carbohydrate oxidation, and the respiratory exchange ratio (RER) were calculated using respiratory gas. Fat oxidation during the exercise was significantly higher in the FP than in the LP with the placebo (p < 0.05) but did not differ between the phases with GTE. Carbohydrate oxidation, serum-free fatty acid, plasma noradrenaline, blood glucose, and lactate concentrations were not significantly different between the phases in either trial. Our results suggest that GTE ingestion improves the decrease in fat oxidation in the LP.

Influence of Menstrual Cycle on Leukocyte Response Following Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage.

We investigated the influence of the menstrual cycle (MC) on leukocyte response after exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD). During the early follicular (E-FP, n = 12) or mid-luteal phase (M-LP, n = 12), 24 untrained females with eumenorrhea performed 60 eccentric exercises using nondominant arms. Blood samples were collected at pre- and 4, 48, and 96 h postexercise to analyze estradiol and progesterone concentrations, leukocyte count and fractionation, and creatine kinase (CK) activity. We also assessed the maximal voluntary isometric contraction torque of elbow flexion, range of motion in the elbow joint, upper-arm circumference, and muscle soreness as indirect muscle damage markers at pre-; immediately post-; and 4, 48, and 96 h postexercise. The percent change in neutrophil counts from pre- to 4 h postexercise was lower in M-LP than in E-FP (E-FP, 30.7% [15.9-65.7%] vs. M-LP, 10.3% [-2.3-30.0%]; median [interquartile range: 25-75%]; p = 0.068). Progesterone concentration at pre-exercise was significantly negatively correlated with the percent change in neutrophil counts from pre- to 4 h postexercise in M-LP (r = -0.650, p = 0.022). MC did not affect CK activity or other muscle damage markers. Thus, progesterone concentration rather than MC may be related to neutrophil response following EIMD.

Influence of menstrual cycle on muscle glycogen utilization during high-intensity intermittent exercise until exhaustion in healthy women.

The present study investigated the effects of the menstrual cycle on muscle glycogen and circulating substrates during high-intensity intermittent exercise until exhaustion in healthy women who habitually exercised. In total, 11 women with regular menstrual cycles completed three tests, which comprised the early follicular phase (E-FP), late follicular phase (L-FP), and luteal phase (LP) of the menstrual cycle. High-intensity intermittent exercise until exhaustion was performed on each test day. Evaluation of muscle glycogen concentration by 13C-magnetic resonance spectroscopy and measurement of estradiol, progesterone, blood glucose, lactate, free fatty acids (FFA), and insulin concentrations were conducted before exercise (Pre) and immediately after exercise (Post). Muscle glycogen concentrations from thigh muscles at Pre and Post were not significantly different between menstrual cycle phases (P = 0.57). Muscle glycogen decreases by exercise were significantly greater in L-FP (59.0 ± 12.4 mM) than in E-FP (48.3 ± 14.4 mM, P < 0.05). Nonetheless, blood glucose, blood lactate, serum FFA, serum insulin concentrations, and exercise time until exhaustion in E-FP, L-FP, and LP were similar. The study results suggest that although exercise time does not change according to the menstrual cycle, the menstrual cycle influences muscle glycogen utilization during high-intensity intermittent exercise until exhaustion in women with habitual exercise activity. Novelty: This study compared changes in muscle glycogen concentration across the menstrual cycle during high-intensity intermittent exercise until exhaustion using 13C-magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Our results highlight the influence of the menstrual cycle on muscle glycogen during high-intensity intermittent exercise in healthy women.

The Effect of Co-Ingestion of Carbohydrate with Milk after Exercise in Healthy Women: Study Considering the Menstrual Cycle.

This study aimed to assess the effects of co-ingestion of carbohydrate with milk (MILK) and isocaloric carbohydrate beverage (CHO) on post-exercise recovery and subsequent exercise capacity, considering the menstrual cycle. This study included 12 women with regular menstrual cycles who completed four test days, which started with glycogen-depleting exercise using a cycle ergometer in the early follicular phase (EF) and late follicular phase (LF), followed by 240 min of recovery from the ingestion of 200 mL of CHO or MILK every 30 min immediately after the exercise (POST0) until 210 min post-exercise. After 240 min, participants performed an exercise capacity test. Blood samples and breathing gas samples were collected before the exercise (PRE), POST0, and 120 (POST120) and 240 min after the end of exercise (POST240) to determine the concentrations of estradiol, progesterone, blood glucose, blood lactate, free fatty acid (FFA), and insulin and the respiratory exchange ratio, fat oxidation, and carbohydrate oxidation. The exercise time at exercise capacity test was not significantly different in terms of menstrual cycle phases and recovery beverages ingested. However, there was a significant positive correlation between the exercise capacity test and area under the curve (AUC) of FFA concentrations from POST0 to POST240 in each group (EF + CHO, p < 0.05; LF + CHO, p < 0.05; EF + MILK, p < 0.01; and LF + MILK, p < 0.05). The AUC of FFA from POST120 to POST240 showed no difference between EF (CHO and MILK) and LF (CHO and MILK). However, the AUC of FFA concentrations from POST120 to POST240 was significantly greater in MILK (EF and LF) than that in CHO (EF and LF) (p < 0.05). In active women, circulating substrates and hormone concentrations during short recovery post-exercise are not affected by the menstrual cycle. However, MILK may affect circulating substrates during recovery and the exercise capacity after recovery.

Effects of menstrual cycle on appetite-regulating hormones and energy intake in response to cycling exercise in physically active women.

Although ample evidence supports the notion that an acute bout of endurance exercise performed at or greater than 70% of maximum oxygen uptake suppresses appetite partly through changes in appetite-regulating hormones, no study has directly compared the influence between the phases of the menstrual cycle in women. This study compared the effects of an acute bout of exercise on orexigenic hormone (acylated ghrelin) and anorexigenic hormones (peptide YY and cholecystokinin) between the early follicular phase (FP) and the mid luteal phase (LP) of the menstrual cycle in physically active women. Ten healthy women (age, 20.6 ± 0.7 yr) completed two 3.5-h trials in each menstrual phase. In both trials, participants performed cycling exercises at 70% of heart rate reserve (at a corresponding intensity to 70% of maximum oxygen uptake) for 60 min followed by 90 min of rest. Following 90 min of rest, participants were provided with an ad libitum meal for a fixed duration of 30 min. Blood samples and subjective appetite were collected and assessed before exercise, during exercise, immediately postexercise, 45 min postexercise, and 90 min postexercise. The exercise increased estradiol (327%) and progesterone (681%) in the LP more than the FP, respectively (P < 0.001, f = 1.33; P < 0.001, f = 1.20). There were no between-trial differences in appetite-regulating hormones, subjective appetite, or energy intake of ad libitum meal. These findings indicate that exercise-induced increases in ovarian hormones in the LP may not influence appetite-regulating hormones in physically active women.NEW & NOTEWORTHY To our knowledge, this is the first study to compare how different phases of the menstrual cycle influence appetite-regulating hormones after acute exercise in healthy women. There were no differences in appetite-regulating hormones between the early follicular and mid luteal phases, whereas ovarian hormones were remarkably increased by cycling exercise in the mid luteal phase. These results highlight that appetite-regulating hormones in response to exercise do not appear to be influenced by the menstrual cycle.

Relationship between weight management and menstrual status in female athletes: a cross-sectional survey.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of weight management on menstrual status in female athletes. A total of 225 collegiate athletes and 27 para-athletes who belonged to teams affiliated with the Japanese Paralympic Committee were included in this cross-sectional survey. A self-reported questionnaire (containing information on the demographic characteristics, medical history, lifestyle habits, weight management, menstruation status, physical symptoms related to menstrual cycle, and the influence of physical symptoms experienced during the luteal phase of menstruation during training or competition.) was used to assess the results. In the collegiate athletes, the rate of regular menstrual cycle was significantly lower in those with weight loss than in those without (56.7% vs. 75.0%, P < .05). Furthermore, stress fractures were found significantly more often in those with weight loss than those without (36.1% vs. 20.3%, P < .05). In the para-athletes, 46.2% of experience in weight loss had irregular menstruations (P < .01), and all of them had physical symptoms that negatively affected their training or competition (P < .05). To prevent menstrual dysfunction related to energy deficiency in female athletes with weight management, menstrual status must be considered.

Effects of the menstrual cycle on oxidative stress and antioxidant response to high-intensity intermittent exercise until exhaustion in healthy women.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the effects of the menstrual cycle on the oxidative stress and antioxidant response during high-intensity intermittent exercise until exhaustion in healthy women who habitually exercised. METHODS: Ten women with normal menstrual cycle completed 2 menstrual cycle phases, including the early follicular phase (FP) and the midluteal phase (LP). High-intensity exercise until exhaustion was performed on each test day. Blood samples were collected before the exercise (Pre), immediately after the exercise (Post0), and 60 minutes after the exercise (Post60). The levels of estradiol; progesterone; oxidative stress, which was measured as diacron reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs); and antioxidant capacity, which was measured as the biological antioxidant potential (BAP), were assessed. RESULTS: The levels of serum estradiol and progesterone at Pre were significantly higher in the LP than in the FP (P<0.01). There were no significant differences in the d-ROMs, BAP, and BAP/d-ROMs between the FP and the LP at Pre, Post0, and Post60. Compared with the FP, the LP had significantly lower d-ROMs change rate from Pre at Post0 and Post60 (P<0.05). Moreover, the BAP/d-ROMs change rate from Pre showed a significantly higher trend in the LP than in the FP at Post0 and Post60 (P=0.06). CONCLUSIONS: In women with regular menstrual cycle, oxidative stress during exercise and recovery may be eliminated during the LP, when the estradiol and progesterone levels are higher, compared with those during the FP.

Effects of the Menstrual Cycle on Serum Carnitine and Endurance Performance of Women.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of the menstrual cycle on serum carnitine and the endurance performance of healthy women. Fifteen eumenorrheic women underwent cycle ergometer exercise at 60% maximal oxygen uptake (V̇ O2max) for 45 min, followed by exercise at an intensity that was increased to 80% V̇ O 2max until exhaustion, during two menstrual cycle phases, including the early follicular phase (FP) and the midluteal phase (LP). The blood levels of estradiol, progesterone, total carnitine, free carnitine, and acylcarnitine were assessed. Compared with the FP, the LP had significantly lower serum total carnitine (p<0.05) and free carnitine (p<0.01). Moreover, the group with decreased endurance performance in the LP than in the FP showed a significantly higher change in serum free carnitine compared with the group that showed improved endurance performance in the LP than in the FP (p<0.05). The results of this study suggested that the changes in serum free carnitine during the menstrual cycle might influence endurance performance.

Transient renal dysfunction with reversible splenial lesion.

We report the case of a 6-month-old boy with transient renal dysfunction who had an intensified signal in the splenium of the corpus callosum on magnetic resonance imaging. He presented to hospital with fever and sudden disturbance of consciousness. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis did not show pleocytosis. The mild consciousness disturbance disappeared after 30 min, but the splenial signal persisted even after 8 days. Further, renal glucosuria, increased excretion of select amino acids, and abnormal fractional excretion of electrolytes were observed, indicating renal tubular dysfunction. The abnormal urinary findings spontaneously resolved by day 9 of hospitalization. The splenial lesion took 21 days to normalize. There were no signs of neurological complications 2 months later. This case suggests the possibility of renal involvement in splenial lesions.