Changes in Condition of Female Athletes during the Menstrual Cycle and Measures for Improvement

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K11318
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 59020:Sports sciences-related
• Research Institution: Nippon Sport Science University
• Principal Investigator: Sunaga Mikako 日本体育大学, 児童スポーツ教育学部, 教授 (70534064)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 低用量ピル / 筋損傷 / 炎症

Outline of Final Research Achievements

An increasing number of athletes are requesting oral contraceptive (OC) to improve premenstrual syndrome and regulate the menstrual cycle. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of taking the low-dose pill on muscle damage markers and inflammation markers after an extended exercise session, and to contribute to the development of conditioning methods for women. Twenty-three young women (OC group n=11, no-OC group n=12) performed extensor exercise on the flexor group of the non-dominant upper arm. Sex hormones, muscle damage markers (CK), and inflammation markers (CRP, IL-6) were measured before and 4, 48, and 96 hours after exercise. Results showed that OC increased CK but did not affect IL-6 or CRP after the exercise.

Free Research Field

運動生理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

低用量ピルを服用している女性は，非服用女性に比べて伸張性運動後の筋損傷マーカーが増加することを明らかにした．低用量ピルを服用している女性は激しいトレーニング後に運動誘発性筋損傷が生じる可能性が高いため，運動後の回復法について検討する必要がある．本研究の結果は，スポーツ現場で活躍する女性アスリートのコンディション方策を講じるうえで役立つ知見となる．