Karlee M Quinn1,2,3, François Billaut4, Andrew C Bulmer5,6, Clare L Minahan7,5. 1. Griffith Sports Physiology and Performance, Gold Coast campus, School of Allied Health Sciences, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, 4222, Australia. k.quinn@griffith.edu.au. 2. Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia. k.quinn@griffith.edu.au. 3. Queensland Academy of Sport, Nathan, QLD, Australia. k.quinn@griffith.edu.au. 4. Department of Kinesiology, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec, Canada. 5. Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia. 6. School of Medical Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia. 7. Griffith Sports Physiology and Performance, Gold Coast campus, School of Allied Health Sciences, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, 4222, Australia.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To compare prefrontal cortex oxygenation in recreationally-active women using oral contraceptives (WomenOC; n = 8) to women with a natural menstrual cycle (WomenNC; n = 8) during incremental exercise to exhaustion. METHODS: Participants performed incremental cycling to exhaustion to determine lactate threshold 1 (LT1) and 2 (LT2) and peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak). Prefrontal cortex oxygenation was monitored via near-infrared spectroscopy through concentration changes in oxy-haemoglobin (Δ[HbO2]), deoxy-haemoglobin (Δ[HHb]), total-haemoglobin (Δ[tHb]) and tissue saturation index (TSI). RESULTS: 17β-oestradiol and progesterone were lower in WomenOC (35 ± 26; 318 ± 127 pmol·L-1, respectively) than WomenNC (261 ± 156; 858 ± 541 pmol·L-1, respectively). There were no differences in full blood examination results or serum nitric oxide (p > 0.05). However, WomenOC presented lower concentrations in ferric-reducing ability of plasma (- 8%; effect size; ES - 0.52 ± 0.61), bilirubin (- 32%; ES - 0.56 ± 0.62) and uric acid (- 17%; ES - 0.53 ± 0.61). Cardiopulmonary parameters were similar between groups during cycling, including VO2peak (p = 0.99). While there was a significant effect of time on all parameters measured by near-infrared spectroscopy during incremental cycling, there was no effect of OC at LT1, LT2 or exhaustion calculated as a change from baseline (TSI; p = 0.096, Δ[HbO2]; p = 0.143, Δ[HHb]; p = 0.085 and Δ[tHb]; p = 0.226). The change in TSI from LT1 to LT2 was significantly different between groups (WomenNC; mean difference + 2.06%, WomenOC; mean difference - 1.73%; p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Prefrontal tissue oxygenation declined at a lower relative exercise intensity in WomenOC as compared to WomenNC, however, this did not influence VO2peak. The results provide the first evidence for variance in the cerebral oxygenation response to exercise, which may be associated with female sex hormones.
PURPOSE: To compare prefrontal cortex oxygenation in recreationally-active women using oral contraceptives (WomenOC; n = 8) to women with a natural menstrual cycle (WomenNC; n = 8) during incremental exercise to exhaustion. METHODS:Participants performed incremental cycling to exhaustion to determine lactate threshold 1 (LT1) and 2 (LT2) and peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak). Prefrontal cortex oxygenation was monitored via near-infrared spectroscopy through concentration changes in oxy-haemoglobin (Δ[HbO2]), deoxy-haemoglobin (Δ[HHb]), total-haemoglobin (Δ[tHb]) and tissue saturation index (TSI). RESULTS: 17β-oestradiol and progesterone were lower in WomenOC (35 ± 26; 318 ± 127 pmol·L-1, respectively) than WomenNC (261 ± 156; 858 ± 541 pmol·L-1, respectively). There were no differences in full blood examination results or serum nitric oxide (p > 0.05). However, WomenOC presented lower concentrations in ferric-reducing ability of plasma (- 8%; effect size; ES - 0.52 ± 0.61), bilirubin (- 32%; ES - 0.56 ± 0.62) and uric acid (- 17%; ES - 0.53 ± 0.61). Cardiopulmonary parameters were similar between groups during cycling, including VO2peak (p = 0.99). While there was a significant effect of time on all parameters measured by near-infrared spectroscopy during incremental cycling, there was no effect of OC at LT1, LT2 or exhaustion calculated as a change from baseline (TSI; p = 0.096, Δ[HbO2]; p = 0.143, Δ[HHb]; p = 0.085 and Δ[tHb]; p = 0.226). The change in TSI from LT1 to LT2 was significantly different between groups (WomenNC; mean difference + 2.06%, WomenOC; mean difference - 1.73%; p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Prefrontal tissue oxygenation declined at a lower relative exercise intensity in WomenOC as compared to WomenNC, however, this did not influence VO2peak. The results provide the first evidence for variance in the cerebral oxygenation response to exercise, which may be associated with female sex hormones.
Authors: Gerhard Smekal; Serge P von Duvillard; Peter Frigo; Tina Tegelhofer; Rochus Pokan; Peter Hofmann; Harald Tschan; Ramon Baron; Manfred Wonisch; Karin Renezeder; Norbert Bachl Journal: Med Sci Sports Exerc Date: 2007-07 Impact factor: 5.411
Authors: J Patrick Neary; Andy D W Roberts; Nina Leavins; Michael F Harrison; James C Croll; James R Sexsmith Journal: Clin Physiol Funct Imaging Date: 2008-07-29 Impact factor: 2.273
Authors: Mia A Schaumberg; David G Jenkins; Xanne A K Janse de Jonge; Lynne M Emmerton; Tina L Skinner Journal: J Sci Med Sport Date: 2016-08-26 Impact factor: 4.319
Authors: Karlee M Quinn; Llion Roberts; Amanda J Cox; David N Borg; Evan N Pennell; Daniel R McKeating; Joshua J Fisher; Anthony V Perkins; Clare Minahan Journal: Eur J Appl Physiol Date: 2022-06-08 Impact factor: 3.346
Authors: Kirsty J Elliott-Sale; Kelly L McNulty; Paul Ansdell; Stuart Goodall; Kirsty M Hicks; Kevin Thomas; Paul A Swinton; Eimear Dolan Journal: Sports Med Date: 2020-10 Impact factor: 11.136