ECSS Paris 2023: OP-PN30
INTRODUCTION: In cycling, a rider’s capacity to produce high power outputs after accumulating a certain amount of high intensity work represents a key determinant of elite performance [1]. Recently, female cyclists (F) were reported to experience lesser reductions in submaximal thresholds than males (M) after heavy intensity cycling [2]. However, sex differences and hormonal influences on severe intensity performance and durability are currently unexplored. This study aimed to investigate the effect of sex and menstrual cycle (MC) on time to exhaustion (TTE) and physiological responses at 110% of critical power (CP), and the decrement (%) in peak power output (Ppeak) achieved during a 6s maximal sprint performed in fresh (Sfresh) and fatigued conditions (Sfat). METHODS: 37 cyclists (18M, age 33±7 years, V̇O2peak 56±6 ml.kg-1.min-1, and 18F, age 32±8 years, V̇O2peak 51±3 ml.kg-1.min-1) visited the laboratory 7 times. Visits 1-4 were used to determine the power-duration relationship (i.e., CP and W’). Then in visits 5-7, participants performed the same experimental protocol, consisting of Sfresh, TTE and Sfat. During TTE, breath-by-breath gas exchange (e.g., V̇O2, V̇CO2, V̇E), heart rate (HR), near-infrared spectroscopy, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded. Naturally menstruating females (n=10) performed the experimental protocol during the early, late follicular and mid luteal phases, confirmed by urinary ovulation testing and hormone quantification. Females taking hormonal contraceptives (n=8) and M were tested 7-10 days apart to mimic the time between phases of the MC. RESULTS: No sex differences were detected for both TTE (M 636±219 vs F 613±139s, p= 0.713) and Ppeak decrement (M -7±7% vs F -7±6%, p= 0.929). During TTE, V̇O2, V̇CO2, and V̇E (all % peak) increased over time (p<0.001) without sex differences, as did HR and RPE. A time × sex interaction (p<0.001) was detected for tissue oxygenation index, which decreased more in M than F. No main effect of MC phase or group × phase interactions were observed for TTE (p≥0.935) and Ppeak decrement (p≥0.336). Despite this, the coefficient of variation (CV%) for TTE was greater in naturally menstruating females (17.3±9.5%) compared to M (10.5±7.0%) and females taking hormonal contraceptives (8.6±3.2%, p≤0.041). CV% for Ppeak decrement was not different among groups (p=0.531). CONCLUSION: Our results revealed that neither sex nor MC influence performance within the severe intensity domain, as well as decrement in Ppeak in fatigued state. However, the observed greater variability in TTE performance among the MC in naturally menstruating females compared to both M and females taking hormonal contraceptives suggest that there is substantial heterogeneity in changes across the MC. Thus, coaches working with naturally menstruating female cyclists are encouraged to track and adopt a personalised approach around training and MC, when needed. REFERENCES 1. Van Erp T et al. 2021 2. Pastorio et al. 2025
Read CV Elisa PastorioECSS Paris 2023: OP-PN30
INTRODUCTION: Compared to men, women exhibit distinct ventilatory regulation during exercise. However there remains a discrepancy in findings regarding the direct influence of menstrual cycle (MC) on exercise-induced chemosensitivity. This debate is partly due to methodological heterogeneity of previous studies in the objectively assessment of the MC or oral contraception (COC). AIM: To provide insights into how fluctuations in hormonal levels during different phases of the natural MC vs COC affect ventilatory response and chemosensitivity to a cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), using a phase-specific and hormonally rigorous methodology aligned with current recommendations. METHODS: Twenty-eight women with a natural menstrual cycle (NC; 25±4 years) and thirty women using monophasic combined oral contraception (COC; 23±3 years) were included. Groups were matched for BMI and physical activity level. All participants were nulliparous, healthy, and presented regular cycles. Each participant performed a CPET at three randomized phases based on urinary detection confirmed by blood analyses: (Phase A) early follicular phase or day 2 of menses; (Phase B) estradiol peak by urinary detection for NC or day 12 for COC; (Phase C) progesterone peak by urinary detection for NC or day 21 for COC. At each visit, CPET was performed in decubitus position (6 min rest, 20 W/ 2 min up to 80 W, then 20 W/min until exhaustion) with breath-by-breath measurements of ventilation (VE) and gas exchange (VO2 and VCO2). Group and phase effects were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models. RESULTS: At exercise, the first ventilatory threshold (VT1) level and associated VE and ventilatory equivalents (EqCO2 and EqO2) were identical between phases and groups (all p> 0.05). However, the chemosensibility, assessed by EqCO2 relative to PetCO₂ at VT1 was higher in phase C compared with phase B in both groups (NC: p<0.01; COC: p<0.05) and additionally, phase B values were higher in the COC group compared with the NC group (p<0.05). Repeated-measures correlation analysis demonstrated a significant positive association between EqCO₂/PetCO₂ at VT1and circulating progesterone concentration (r=0.43, p<0.01). No effect was observed on VE/VCO2 slopes. At maximal exercise, peak V̇E did not differ between phases or groups. However, EqCO₂/PetCO₂ at maximal effort was increased in phase C compared with phase B in the NC group, and remained higher in phase B of the COC group compared with NC (all p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Ventilatory control appears sensitive to the hormonal milieu. Progesterone-dominant phases were associated with higher ventilatory chemosensitivity, better described by EqCO₂/PetCO₂ at VT1 or maximal exercise than by the VE/V̇CO₂ slope. This index was positively associated with circulating progesterone levels, suggesting that ovarian hormones may subtly influence breathing control during exercise and gerenate additional breathing cost.
Read CV Vitalie FaoroECSS Paris 2023: OP-PN30
INTRODUCTION: Regular physical activity in children is related to an improvement of cognitive functioning, with benefits to memory, attention and the development of executive functions. Therefore, investigating cerebral aspects may help to understand the relationship between a cognitive test and physical fitness of young girls who play soccer. The current study aimed to explore the correlation between physical fitness, reaction time and cerebral oxygenation during an inhibitory control test of young girls’ soccer players. METHODS: Twenty girls, from 9 to 14 years old, from FutDelas UFPR Brazilian project, participated in this study. Four physical fitness tests were evaluated, 20-meter modified T test related to agility (running time), 20-meter sprint test related to speed (running time), horizontal jump test related to the lower limb power (jump length) and the Yo-Yo Intermittent recovery test for children (YYIR1C) related to aerobic power (running distance). The inhibitory control was measured with a computerized Stroop cognitive test evaluated throughout the reaction time, concomitant with the hemodynamic response function (HRF) of cerebral oxygenation, which was evaluated with a functional near infra-red spectroscopy device (fNIRS). For statistical analysis, a Pearson correlation was applied between the dependent variables in the physical fitness tests (i.e., agility, speed, lower limb and aerobic power), the reaction time and the HRF of cerebral oxygenation. RESULTS: A moderate negative correlation was observed between the reaction time and lower limb power (r=-0.77; p=0.012), and a moderate positive correlation between reaction time and one left dorsolateral channel (F3-F5, r=0.705; p=0.034). Moderate to very strong correlations were observed between cerebral oxygenation in the pre-frontal cortex, in both right dorsolateral and medial channels, with performance of the agility (F4-AF8, r=-0.705; p=0.034; AF4-F2, r=-0.762; p=0.017; AF4-AF8, r=-0.748; p=0.02; AF3-Fpz, r=-0.673; p=0.047) and lower limb power (F4-AF8, r=0.781; p=0.022; AF4-AF8, r=0.798; p=0.018; AF4-Fpz, r=0.841; p=0.009), and one medial channel with the aerobic power (AF3-Fpz, r=0.903; p=0.005). CONCLUSION: A lower reaction time during Stroop Test was associated with a greater lower limb power and a greater dorsolateral cerebral activation, which refers to the inhibitory control area. These findings suggest that the inhibition was more pronounced to perform the test due to its complexity. A higher activation of the dorsolateral (i.e., responsible for the inhibitory control) and medial (i.e., responsible for self-monitoring) areas were related to a better performance in the tests of agility, lower limb power and aerobic power. These cerebral functions may be more activated during these tests to improve performance by blocking unwanted movements and adjust the decision making to maintain, which occurs similarly with the development of the Stroop test.
Read CV Christian FroydECSS Paris 2023: OP-PN30