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ABSTRACT: Objective
To systematically review and summarize the existing evidence related to the influence of the menstrual cycle (MC) and hormonal contraceptive (HC) use on V˙O2max in physically active women.Methods
This systematic review and meta-analysis conforms to the PRISMA statement guidelines. Four (sub-)meta-analyses were performed. Two focused on longitudinal studies examining the same women several times to compare the V˙O2max during the different menstrual phases or oral contraceptive (OC) use and withdrawal. Two meta-analyses examined if there is a difference in V˙O2max between OC users and normally menstruating women by analyzing cross-sectional studies assigning physically active women to one of these two groups as well as intervention-based studies (cross-over studies, randomized controlled trials considering only the data of the intervention group) comparing women intra-individually with and without OCs.Results
Nine of the included studies (107 women) evaluated the influence of the MC, five studies (69 women) the impact of OCs on V˙O2max, and six studies investigated both topics (88 women). A mean difference of V˙O2max -0.03 ml/kg/min (95%CI -1.06 to 1.01) between the early follicular and luteal menstrual phase was observed. Between the active and inactive phases of OCs, a mean difference of -0.11 ml/kg/min (95%CI -2.32 to 2.10) was found. The inter-individual comparison of naturally menstruating women and OC users showed a mean difference in V˙O2max of 0.23 ml/kg/min (95% CI -2.33 to 2.79) in favor of OC use. The intra-individual comparison of the same women showed a mean decrease in V˙O2max of -0.84 ml/kg/min (95% CI -2.38 to 0.70) after a new start with OCs.Conclusions
Our meta-analyses showed no effects of the MC or the OCs on V˙O2max. More high-quality studies are needed determining the MC phases more precisely, including OCs with the current standard formulations and comparing the influence of different progestins.
SUBMITTER: Schumpf LF
PROVIDER: S-EPMC10361115 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Heliyon 20230607 6
<h4>Objective</h4>To systematically review and summarize the existing evidence related to the influence of the menstrual cycle (MC) and hormonal contraceptive (HC) use on V˙O<sub>2max</sub> in physically active women.<h4>Methods</h4>This systematic review and meta-analysis conforms to the PRISMA statement guidelines. Four (sub-)meta-analyses were performed. Two focused on longitudinal studies examining the same women several times to compare the V˙O<sub>2max</sub> during the different menstrual ...[more]