ECSS Paris 2023: OP-MH04
INTRODUCTION: Almost 42% of female athletes report subjective impairments in various phases of the menstrual cycle (MC), but there is limited evidence for objective performance declines [1,2]. Fluctuations in oestrogen and progesterone may affect performance via changes in substrate metabolism [3]. Therefore, this study investigates the impact of the MC on oxygen uptake and fat metabolism in active, eumenorrheic women during submaximal endurance exercise. METHODS: The study lasted three full natural MCs (1 observation, 2 test MCs), during which six submaximal cycling tests were completed (two per menstrual phase (MP), late follicular phase (LFP), and mid-luteal phase (MLP)). The tests consisted of a square-wave step-transition protocol (25% (transition 1) and 65% (transition 2) of the difference between VT1 and maximal power; 6 min each; 20 W baseline). Breath-by-breath data, oxygen uptake kinetics, substrate utilization and total energy expenditure (TEE) were measured in both low-intensity (IL) and high-intensity (IH) intervals. Twenty-three of 27 interested women fulfilled the inclusion criteria with 18 completing the study. Finally, only 11 women (age: 26.9±4.7 yrs; BMI: 22.7±2.6 kg/m²; V̇O₂max: 45.7±4.9 mL/min/kg) showed a regular MC with ovulation and were included in the statistical analyses (means of the data from two MP, LFP or MLP measurements subjected to repeated-measures ANOVA). RESULTS: Blood oestrogen levels differed significantly between MC phases (p<0.001, η²p=0.800), with the highest levels in LFP, followed by MLP and MP (all p<0.05). Progesterone levels (p<0.001, η²p=0.919) were higher in MLP compared to LFP and MP (p<0.001). However, fat (p=0.478, η²p=0.071) and carbohydrate metabolism (p=0.430, η²p=0.081), respiratory exchange ratio rate (ΔRER: p=0.367, η²p=0.095), and lactate (Δlactate: p=0.088, η²p=0.216) did not differ between cycle phases (MP, LFP, MLP). In addition, oxygen uptake kinetics (IL: p=0.401, η²p=0.079; IH: p=0.378, η²p=0.093), TTE (IL: p=0.338, η²p=0.094; IH: p=0.382, η²p=0.080), heart rate (IL: p=0.647, η²p=0.027; IH: p=0.727, η²p=0.017), gross efficiency (p=0.789, η²p= 0.023), and RPE (IL: p=0.147, η²p= 0.175; IH: p=0.103, η²p=0.203) did not differ between phases at both intensities. CONCLUSION: Although hormone levels varied, performance and substrate metabolism did not differ significantly.The study’s three‐month observation period was a strength; however, excluding irregular cycles (52%) resulted in a small sample size insufficient to detect small‐ to medium‐effect differences. We suggest that, in addition to hormone levels, personalized (even subjective) measures should be considered to clarify the complex relationship between the MC and performance. [1] Bruinvels, G., et al. (2016). PLoS One, 11(2), e0149881. [2] McNulty, K.L., et al. (2020). Sports Med, 50(10), 1813-1827. [3] Boisseau, N., & Isacco, L. (2022). Eur J Sport Sci, 22(5), 672–683
Read CV Lena LauxtermannECSS Paris 2023: OP-MH04
INTRODUCTION: Overactive bladder (OAB) is a common syndrome causing urgency, frequent urination, and nocturia, significantly affecting quality of life (QoL). Obesity worsens symptoms by increasing intra-abdominal pressure and bladder sensitivity, while OAB-related inactivity can lead to weight gain, creating a vicious cycle. Addressing weight management is crucial for improving symptoms and well-being in OAB patients. This study analyzes the relationship between obesity, physical activity (PA), sedentarism, and sarcopenia with OAB symptoms and QoL. METHODS: This observational study is nested in a randomized controlled trial (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04357223). OAB symptoms and QoL were analyzed by the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). Obesity indicators included body mass index (BMI), categorized as normal weight, overweight, and obese, measured by stadiometer (SECA 217, Hamburg, Germany) and bioimpedance analysis (MC780MA, Tanita, Tokyo); and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), classified as normal or increased metabolic risk, calculated from waist and hip circumferences, measured by anthropometric tape, using standard procedures. According to European consensus, sarcopenia cut-off points when measured by handgrip strength dynamometer are <27kg for men and <16kg for women. Handgrip strength was measured by digital dynamometer (TKK 5401, Takei, Niigata) and sarcopenia was assessed according to European consensus. PA and sedentarism were measured by International Physical Activity Questionnaire-long form (IPAQ). The criterion for establishing physical activity and sedentarism cut-off points is that established by the World Health Organization. Statistical analyses were performed with Python 3.13 (α=0.05). RESULTS: 181 adults were recruited (34.8% women). Among all participants, 24.9% were sedentary and 3.9% had sarcopenia, while 28.9% were physically inactive. These results contrast with 54.5% who were overweight (32.6%) or obese (21.9%) and 52.8% who had an elevated WHR. Men showed high BMI and WHR (26.7±4.1 kg/m2 and 0.92±0.08, respectively), while women had BMI and WHR close to the upper limit, but within the normal range (24.8±4.8 kg/m2 and 0.79±0.07, respectively). No relationship with OAB symptoms and QoL were found between sarcopenia, PA and sedentarism. Nevertheless, BMI and WHR were significantly correlated to nocturia (τ=0.24; p<0.001 and τ=0.17; p=0.027, respectively) and QoL (τ=0.15; p=0.029 and τ=0.17; p=0.027, respectively). Nocturia and QoL were significantly different according to BMI (H=12.87; p=0.001; ε2=0.06 and H=6.16; p=0.046; ε2=0.02, respectively) and WHR (U=1881.5; p=0.027; r=0.19 and U=1862; p=0.028; r=0.19, respectively), showing those who had higher BMI or WHR worse scores in both questions. No differences were found for daytime voids or urgency symptoms. CONCLUSION: Obesity and a high WHR were associated with lower QoL and more nocturia episodes but not with daytime voids and urgency. No relationship was found between sarcopenia, PA, or sedentarism with OAB symptoms.
Read CV Jaime López-Seoane PuenteECSS Paris 2023: OP-MH04
INTRODUCTION: Overweight and obesity are rapidly becoming a global epidemic, and the WHO Acceleration Plan to Stop Obesity highlights the major global concern in this regard. Food craving is a strong desire to consume specific types of food, identified as a major factor contributing to overweight and obesity (1). Evidence suggests that exercise induces beneficial psycho-cognitive changes, reducing food cravings and enhancing cognitive control over appetite (2). Alternatively, Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) has also targeted food craving and related neural mechanisms (3). Thus, incorporating a tDCS protocol into a physical activity program may yield synergistic effects, potentially leading to greater reductions in food craving. Therefore, we explored the effects of five sessions of tDCS followed by four weeks of aerobic exercise (AE) on food craving (FC), impulsivity (IMP), risky decision-making (RDM), and cognitive flexibility (CF) in overweight and obese women with food cravings. METHODS: Thirty-six participants were randomly assigned to three groups (n=12 per group): 1) a-tDCS+AE; 2) Sham+AE; and 3) Control. In Phase 1, the a-tDCS+AE and Sham+AE groups received 5 consecutive sessions of anodal and sham tDCS, respectively. In Phase 2, both groups engaged in 3 sessions of moderate-intensity continuous AE per week for 4 weeks, while the control group received no interventions. Outcome variables were measured at baseline, after 5 days of tDCS, and after 4 weeks of AE. One month after the interventions concluded, FC and CF were also reported. RESULTS: In Phase 1, FC decreased only in the a-tDCS+AE group. In Phase 2, FC decreased in both the a-tDCS+AE and Sham+AE groups; however, it returned to baseline levels for the Sham+AE group at follow-up, while it remained reduced for the a-tDCS+AE group. CF was higher in the a-tDCS+AE compared to the other groups and sham+AE compared to control after Phase 2. At follow-up, CF remained significantly increased only in the a-tDCS+AE group. IMP improved over time in the a-tDCS+AE group compared to the other groups. RDM significantly improved only in Phase 2 in a-tDCS+AE compared to the control. CONCLUSION: We concluded that multisession anodal tDCS followed by four weeks of moderate AE could provoke synergistic effects causing greater and more lasting effects on food craving and its associated variables in overweight and obese females with food craving. 1. Huang J, Wang C, Zhang H-B, Zheng H, Huang T, Di J-Z. Neuroimaging and neuroendocrine insights into food cravings and appetite interventions in obesity. Psychoradiology. 2023;3. 2. Beaulieu K, Oustric P, Finlayson G. The Impact of Physical Activity on Food Reward: Review and Conceptual Synthesis of Evidence from Observational, Acute, and Chronic Exercise Training Studies. Curr Obes Rep. 2020;9(2):63-80. 3. Chen J, Qin J, He Q, Zou Z. A Meta-Analysis of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Substance and Food Craving: What Effect Do Modulators Have? Front Psychiatry. 2020;11:598.
Read CV Ehsan AmiriECSS Paris 2023: OP-MH04