Examining the Role of Female Endogenous Sex Hormones in Eccentric Exercise
University of Southern California
30 participants
Mar 7, 2025
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
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.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria10
- 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 Criteria16
- 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
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Interventions
Participants will complete a 10 x 10 eccentric leg extension on a Cybex Norm dynamometer. Upon arrival, participants will be asked their perceived readiness to perform on a 11 point numeric rating scale. Before the running protocol a baseline blood sample will be collected, as well as passive and active delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), a countermovement jump. Half way through each set (i.e., after the 5th repetition) participants will be asked to rank their level of difficulty on a 11 point OMNI Res scale. This will occur during each set. Participants will have follow up blood draws, measures of muscle function (i.e, jump height) and soreness measured immediately after and 24 and 48 hours post-exercise.
Locations(1)
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NCT05934708