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Menstrual CycleNCT05576740

Influence of Menstrual Cycle Stages on Female Athletes

An observational study of Menstrual Cycle and Sports, run by Universitat Jaume I at 1 site in Spain.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

The influence of the menstrual cycle on women's sports performance is still uncertain. Research on this topic shows methodological biases. The aim of the study will be to determine whether the menstrual cycle affects women's physical fitness, measuring this in 3 differentiated stages of the cycle: the early follicular… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 40 years, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Menstrual Cycle, Sports
What is being tested?
Determination of hormone level concentrations, Jump height determination and Grip strength determination
How many people
41 participants
Where
1 siteSpain
Study dates
16 Mar 2022to 15 Jul 2022
How long will I take part?
2 Months
Phase
Observational
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 40 years
  • Women only
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult

Study population: Women between 18 and 40 years old, with regular menstrual cycles, who practice sport regularly, proven by federation and competition in a sport, and confirming the completion of at least 240 minutes of physical activity per week. In the case of women with hormonal contraception, they must be with the established method (minimum 6 months with it).

Who may be able to join

  • Female sex
  • Women between 18 and 40 years of age
  • Women who are members of a federation and who compete in a sport doing at least 240 minutes of exercise per week.
  • Women with regular menstrual cycles (between 23 and 38 days long).
  • Women who have not taken hormonal contraceptives (HA) for 6 months or more.
  • Female sex
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  • Women between 18-40 years of age
  • Women federated and competed in a sport doing at least 240 minutes of exercise per week.
  • Long-term users of HA (minimum 6 months).

Who cannot join

  • Refusal to participate in the study
  • Sedentary women
  • Women on HA currently or in the 6 months before the study
  • Women with irregular menstrual cycles, less than 23 or more than 38 days in length
  • Any existing metabolic disease or disorder
  • Regular use of medications or dietary supplements that could affect the results
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  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding
  • Refusal to participate in the study
  • Sedentary women
  • Any existing metabolic disease or disorder
  • Regular use of medications or dietary supplements that could affect the results
  • Inability to manage contraception in a disciplined manner

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Spain1 site
  • Jaume I University

    Castellon, Castellon, 12006

Other trials in Spain

About this study

Official title: Influence of Menstrual Cycle Stages on Physical Fitness in Female Athletes

The influence of the menstrual cycle on women's sports performance is still uncertain. Research on this topic shows methodological biases. The aim of the study will be to determine whether the menstrual cycle affects women's physical fitness, measuring this in 3 differentiated stages of the cycle: the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and luteal phase. For this purpose, a blood test will be carried out in each phase, with hormone determination (oestradiol and progesterone) and a haemogram to determine the existence of possible anemia. After the extraction and other complementary tests (measurement of vital signs, bioimpedance...) the woman will undergo 3 physical tests to compare the results in the 3 phases. A group of women taking hormonal contraception will also be included, performing the same interventions. To determine whether the woman is ovulating or not, urinary luteinizing hormone (LH) strips will be given to the women and they will have to take them from day 8 of the cycle. In addition, women will wear an accelerometer to monitor their daily activity and to be able to observe if there is an influence on this stage of the menstrual cycle.

Being tested
Determination of hormone level concentrations, Jump height determination, Grip strength determination, Flexibility determination, Indirect maximum oxygen consumption determination
Keywords
Menstrual cycle, Performance, Hormonal verification, Contraception

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Determination of hormone level concentrationsProcedure or surgery

    Determination of concentration of 17β-oestradiol (pg/mL), progesterone (ng/mL), LH (mUI/mL), FSH (mUI/mL), prolactin (ng/mL), total testosterone (ng/mL), free testosterone (pmol/L) sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) (nmol/L), cortisol (μg/dL), T3 (ng/dL), T4 (mcg/dL), TSH (mcU/mL), basal insulin (mcUI/mL) during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase.

  • Jump height determinationProcedure or surgery

    by Chronojump contact mat, determine five types of jump in centimeters: Squat jump without additional weight, Squat jump with 50% of body weight, Countermovement jump, Abalakov jump, and Drop jump, during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase.

  • Grip strength determinationProcedure or surgery

    measuring of changes in muscle strength by handgrip dynamometer in the hand to be tested (handgrip test) during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase. Three attempts on each hand.

  • Flexibility determinationProcedure or surgery

    measurement of changes in the range of motion of the hamstring musculature, by sit and reach test (cm), during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase. Three tries.

  • Indirect maximum oxygen consumption determinationProcedure or surgery

    by the Course Navette test, the indirect oxygen consumption is calculated using the formula: VO2max = (6xFA) - 27,4 (FA = Speed of the last stage of the test completed. It takes place during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase.

  • Sensory and pain threshold determinationDevice

    by electrical muscle stimulator (Digitimer DS7A), during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase.

  • Physical and mental symptoms associated with the menstrual cycleOther

    By The Daily Record of Severity of Problems (DRSP) questionnaire, during a full menstrual cycle.

  • Daily activityDevice

    by accelerometer (GENEActiv) during a full menstrual cylcle: Wrist-worn device measuring accelerations as a measure of daily activity, in cpm, counts per minute.

  • Biochemical parameters determinationProcedure or surgery

    Determination of concentration of iron (μg/dL), ferritin (ng/mL), and transferrin (mg/dL), during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase.

  • Blood count determinationProcedure or surgery

    Determination of concentration of hemoglobin (g/dL), red blood cells (10^6/μL), hematocrit (%), white blood cells (10^3/μl), platelets (10^3/μl), during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase.

  • Body composition parameters determinationProcedure or surgery

    Determination of weight (kg), total body water (L), proteins (kg), minerals (kg), body fat mass (kg), body mass index (BMI) (kg/m2), basal metabolic rate (kcal) by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis, during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and mid-luteal phase.

  • Vital signsProcedure or surgery

    Determination of blood pressure (mmHg) and heart rate (bpm) at baseline, one minute and three minutes after the Course Navette test

  • Checking for correct use of contraceptive methodsOther

    Pre-test questions about possible forgetfulness or mishandling of the method

  • Urinary LH determinationProcedure or surgery

    Urine LH test strips are performed from day 8 of the cycle until positive.

Study groups in NCT05576740
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
natural cycleIn this group, women have a natural menstrual cycle, not intervened by exogenous hormones. The interventions performed in this group are the same as in the other groups.
Receives: Procedure: Determination of hormone level concentrations; Procedure: Jump height determination; Procedure: Grip strength determination; Procedure: Flexibility determination; Procedure: Indirect maximum oxygen consumption determination; Device: Sensory and pain threshold determination; Other: Physical and mental symptoms associated with the menstrual cycle; Device: Daily activity; Procedure: Biochemical parameters determination; Procedure: Blood count determination; Procedure: Body composition parameters determination; Procedure: Vital signs; Procedure: Urinary LH determination
artificial cycleIn this group, women with an artificial menstrual cycle, i.e. women using hormonal contraception, oral or vaginal, are selected. The interventions carried out in this group are the same as in the other groups.
Receives: Procedure: Determination of hormone level concentrations; Procedure: Jump height determination; Procedure: Grip strength determination; Procedure: Flexibility determination; Procedure: Indirect maximum oxygen consumption determination; Device: Sensory and pain threshold determination; Other: Physical and mental symptoms associated with the menstrual cycle; Device: Daily activity; Procedure: Biochemical parameters determination; Procedure: Blood count determination; Procedure: Body composition parameters determination; Procedure: Vital signs; Other: Checking for correct use of contraceptive methods
natural cycle with deficient luteal phaseIn this group, women have a natural menstrual cycle, with a low progesterone level during the luteal phase, and are not intervened by exogenous hormones. The interventions performed in this group are the same as in the other groups.
Receives: Procedure: Determination of hormone level concentrations; Procedure: Jump height determination; Procedure: Grip strength determination; Procedure: Flexibility determination; Procedure: Indirect maximum oxygen consumption determination; Device: Sensory and pain threshold determination; Other: Physical and mental symptoms associated with the menstrual cycle; Device: Daily activity; Procedure: Biochemical parameters determination; Procedure: Blood count determination; Procedure: Body composition parameters determination; Procedure: Vital signs; Procedure: Urinary LH determination

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Change in 17β-oestradiol concentration (in pg/mL)

    concentration of 17β-oestradiol in pg/mL

    Measured: three times in a month

  2. Change in T4 concentration (in mcg/dL)

    concentration of T4 in mcg/dL

    Measured: three times in a month

  3. Change in T3 concentration (in ng/dL)

    concentration of T3 in ng/dL

    Measured: three times in a month

  4. Change in cortisol concentration (in μg/dL)

    concentration of cortisol in μg/dL

    Measured: three times in a month

  5. Change in TSH concentration (in mcUI/mL)

    concentration of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and basal insulin in mcUI/mL

    Measured: three times in a month

  6. Change in SHBG concentration (in nmol/L)

    concentration of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) in nmol/L

    Measured: three times in a month

  7. Change in free testosterone concentration (in pmol/L)

    Concentration of free testosterone in pmol/L

    Measured: three times in a month

  8. Change in progesterone concentration (in ng/mL)

    Concentration of progesterone, prolactin and total testosterone in ng/mL

    Measured: three times in a month

  9. Change in LH and FSH concentration (in mUI/mL)

    Concentration of luteinizing hormone (LH) and FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) in mUI/mL

    Measured: three times in a month

  10. Change from baseline jumping height

    Measuring of change in muscle power through Squat jump without additional weight, Squat jump with 50% of body weight, Countermovement jump, Abalakov jump, and Drop jump by Chronojump contact mat, in cm. Three tries on each jump.

    Measured: three times in a month

  11. Change from baseline grip strength

    measuring of changes in muscle strength by handgrip dynamometer in the hand to be tested (handgrip test). Three attempts on each hand.

    Measured: three times in a month

  12. Change from baseline flexibility

    measurement of changes in the range of motion of the hamstring musculature, by sit and reach test (cm). Three tries.

    Measured: three times in a month

  13. Change from baseline indirect maximum oxygen consumption

    by the Course Navette test

    Measured: three times in a month

  14. Change from baseline sensory and pain threshold

    by electrical muscle stimulator (Digitimer DS7A)

    Measured: three times in a month

  15. Change from baseline physical and mental symptoms associated with the menstrual cycle by The Daily Record of Severity of Problems questionnaire

    By The Daily Record of Severity of Problems (DRSP) questionnaire. This scale measures symptoms subjectively from 1 to 6, where 1 corresponds to "not at all" and 6 corresponds to "extreme". The higher the score, the more severe the symptom is.

    Measured: Duration of a full menstrual cycle (approximately 28 days)

  16. Change from baseline daily activity

    by accelerometer (GENEActiv): Wrist-worn device measuring accelerations as a measure of daily activity, in cpm, counts per minute.

    Measured: Duration of a full menstrual cycle (approximately 28 days)

Secondary outcomes (13)
  1. Change in iron concentration (in μg/dL)

    concentration of iron in μg/dL

    Measured: three times in a month

  2. Change in transferrin concentration (in mg/dL)

    concentration of transferrin in mg/dL

    Measured: three times in a month

  3. Change in ferritin concentration (in ng/mL)

    concentration of ferritin in ng/mL

    Measured: three times in a month

  4. Change in hemoglobin concentration (in g/dL)

    concentration of hemoglobin in g/dL

    Measured: three times in a month

  5. Change in white blood cells and platelets concentration (in 10^3/μl)

    concentration of white blood cells and platelets in 10^3/μl

    Measured: three times in a month

  6. Change in hematocrit concentration (in %)

    concentration of hematocrit in %

    Measured: three times in a month

  7. Change in red blood cells concentration (in 10^6/μl)

    concentration of red blood cells in 10^6/μL

    Measured: three times in a month

  8. Change in weight, proteins, minerals and body fat mass in kg

    Weight, proteins, minerals and body fat mass in kg by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis

    Measured: three times in a month

  9. Change in Body Mass Index (BMI) in kg/m2

    Body Mass Index (BMI) in kg/m2 by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis and measuring tape

    Measured: three times in a month

  10. Change in Basal metabolic rate in kcal

    Basal metabolic rate in kcal by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis

    Measured: three times in a month

  11. Change in total body water in liters (L)

    total body water in liters (L) by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis

    Measured: three times in a month

  12. Change in Blood pressure in mmHg

    Blood pressure (systolic and diastolic pressure) in mmHg at baseline, one minute and three minutes after the Course Navette test by blood pressure monitor

    Measured: three times in a month

  13. Change in heart rate in bpm

    Heart rate in bpm at baseline, one minute and three minutes after the Course Navette test by blood pressure monitor

    Measured: three times in a month

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted12 Oct 2022
  2. Study start16 Mar 2022
  3. Primary completion15 Jul 2022
  4. Study completion15 Jul 2022

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Observational
Observational model
Case only
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrolment
41 participants (actual)
Target duration
2 Months
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT05576740
Sponsor's protocol ID
CD/77/2020
Status last verified
Dec 2022
First submitted
6 Oct 2022
Last updated
21 Dec 2022
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Yes: The aim is to publish the results obtained in high impact journals.

Publications

  • Recacha-Ponce P, Suarez-Alcazar P, Hernando C, Salas-Medina P, Muriach M, Balino P, Guisado-Cuadrado I, Collado-Boira E. Hormonal balance, anovulatory cycles and luteal phase deficiency: exploring relationships between hematological variables, sex hormones and V̇O2max in athletes. Reprod Fertil. 2025 Apr 28;6(2):e240119. doi: 10.1530/RAF-24-0119. Print 2025 Apr 1.

    PubMed 40232947

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

An observational study of Menstrual Cycle and Sports, run by Universitat Jaume I at 1 site in Spain.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 9 inclusion and 12 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 21 Dec 2022. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Spain. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Change in 17β-oestradiol concentration (in pg/mL) (time frame: three times in a month). The study lists 16 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05576740, which also lists 1 linked publication.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 21 Dec 2022.

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