Proposal of a new method for increased exercise-induced fatigue associated with the menstrual cycle

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 22K21228
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0909:Sports sciences, physical education, health sciences, and related fields
• Research Institution: National Agency for the Advancement of Sports and Health
• Principal Investigator: Matsuda Tomoka 独立行政法人日本スポーツ振興センター国立スポーツ科学センター, スポーツ科学・研究部, 契約研究員 (10963803)
• Project Period (FY): 2022-08-31 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 月経周期 / エストラジオール / プロゲステロン / 胃腸症状 / 持久性運動

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of menstrual cycle on glucose metabolism, digestive and absorption functions, and gastrointestinal symptoms during endurance exercise in female athletes, and to contribute to the development of female nutrition strategy. The study participants were 11 eumenorrheic women. All the participants exercised by cycling at 70% Wmax for 60 minutes during the early follicular phase, late follicular phase, and luteal phase.The results showed that digestive and absorptive functions (especially intestinal fatty acid binding protein) did not differ significantly between phases and were not related to glucose metabolism. Therefore, the results suggest that coping strategies (nutritional intake such as glucose intake) for increased exercise-induced fatigue do not need to be changed between phases. However, further investigations are necessary to explore changes in subjective gastrointestinal symptoms across the menstrual cycle.

Free Research Field

運動生理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究成果から、月経周期によって運動時の消化吸収機能(特に小腸に関連する指標)は変化しないことが示唆された。これは、運動に伴う疲労の増加に対する対処法、特に糖摂取のような栄養摂取に対して、月経周期を考慮する必要がないことが考えられる。したがって、本研究は、女性アスリートの栄養摂取戦略を考える上で役立つ知見となる。