The impact of the fluctuation in female hormone levels during the menstrual cycle on foot alignment

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K11290
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 59010:Rehabilitation science-related
• Research Institution: Sapporo Medical University
• Principal Investigator: Katayose Masaki 札幌医科大学, 保健医療学部, 教授 (50221180)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 寒川 美奈 北海道大学, 保健科学研究院, 准教授 (40360953) ; 谷口 圭吾 札幌医科大学, 保健医療学部, 教授 (90381277) ; 岩本 えりか 札幌医科大学, 保健医療学部, 講師 (40632782) ; 戸田 創 札幌医科大学, 保健医療学部, 講師 (40516580) ; 青木 信裕 札幌医科大学, 保健医療学部, 助教 (20554653)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 月経周期 / 女性ホルモン / 足部内側縦アーチ / 運動時血流調節 / 性差

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Fluctuations in female hormone levels during the menstrual cycle have been discussed as a possible link to the incidence of lower limb disorders in sport. The present study focused on foot alignment, which is a contributing factor to changes in lower limb alignment during jump landing movements. It was shown that changes in the ratio of estrogen to progesterone are important factors affecting foot alignment. Additionally, we examined the effect of sex differences on muscle endurance, which is crucial for maintaining foot alignment during sports activities. The study demonstrated that there were no significant sex differences in blood glucose fluctuations and blood flow regulation during exercise in young adult men and women, even after energy intake before exercise.

Free Research Field

スポーツ理学療法学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

これまで月経周期とスポーツ活動中の下肢傷害発生との関連を見てきた研究ではエストロゲンのみに着目した報告が多かった。本研究では「エストロゲンとプロゲステロンの比率」が足部アライメント変化に影響する重要な因子であることを示した。そのため、女性ホルモン濃度の詳細な評価が女性アスリートの下肢傷害発生の予防に貢献できる可能性を示した学術的・社会的に意義のある研究となった。