Anaerobic capacity of physically active eumenorrheic females at mid-luteal and mid-follicular phases of ovarian cycle.

AIM: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the anaerobic capacity in repeated sprint cycling bouts during mid-luteal (ML) and mid-follicular (MF) phases of ovarian cycle. METHODS: Twelve physically active females aged 22.41±1.68 years, with normal regular menstrual cycle and VO2max of 34.92±4.85 mL·kg-1·min-1 volunteered as subjects in this study. The menstrual phases were verified through daily basal body temperature recording and serum progesterone analysis. Anaerobic capacity was quantified by measuring maximal accumulated oxygen deficit (MAOD). In this study, MAOD was measured following well established method. Initially, the VO2max of the subjects was measured following a graded exercise protocol on a cycle ergometer. On separate days, the subjects performed sub-maximal cycling exercise at 50%, 60%, 70% and 80% of VO2max for 10 minutes. The linear regression determined from the sub-maximal VO2-power relationship was used to estimate the supra-maximal power output at 120% VO2max. The subjects performed repeated sprint cycling for 3 times at 120% of VO2max with 20 minutes rest between consecutive sprints during MF and ML phases. RESULTS: Results indicated there was no significant difference in maximal accumulated oxygen deficit (MAOD) and sprint performance between MF and ML phases in repeated sprint cycling. Serum progesterone was significantly lower in luteal phase after repeated sprints. CONCLUSION: Hence, it is concluded that the anaerobic capacity is unaffected by ovarian phases in women with regular menstrual cycle. Lower serum progesterone after repeated sprints might be due to the repeated anaerobic activity.