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The goal of this observational study is to learn how the menstrual cycle affects immune cell activation, recruitment, and recovery responses after resistance exercise in healthy, resistance-trained women aged 18-40. The main questions it aims to answer are:
Does the menstrual cycle influence neutrophil recruitment and adhesion after resistance exercise? Does the menstrual cycle affect markers of muscle damage and functional recovery? Researchers will compare three menstrual phases (early follicular, late follicular, and mid-luteal) to see if immune responses and recovery outcomes differ across these phases.
Participants will:
Complete resistance exercise protocols across three different menstrual cycle phases.
Provide blood samples to assess immune cell activation and muscle damage markers.
Track sleep, mood, and recovery with questionnaires and wear an accelerometer.
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| Name | Type | Description | Arm Group Labels | Other Names |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resistance exercise | Other | Resistance Exercise Protocols: Participants will perform exercises, including belt squats, hex bar deadlifts, and plyometric drop jumps. The load and intensity will be standardized based on each participant's 1-repetition maximum (1RM) to ensure uniformity across trials. | ||
| Menstrual Cycle Phases | Other | Menstrual Cycle Phases: The key exposure variable is the phase of the menstrual cycle, with participants being assessed during the early follicular, late follicular, and mid-luteal phases. |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Neutrophil Recruitment and Adhesion Dynamics | Measure: Neutrophil cell index (impedance reflecting neutrophil migration) using Real-Time Cell Analysis (RTCA). Objective: To assess the differences in neutrophil recruitment and adhesion across menstrual cycle phases (early follicular, late follicular, and mid-luteal). Time Frame: Assessed at 2 time points (baseline and 4 hours post exercise) on 3 experimental trial days (1 per menstrual cycle; up to 4 cycles per participant, over approximately 16 weeks). | From enrollment, through study completion, an average of 4 months. |
| Systemic Concentrations of CXCL8 | Measure: Plasma levels of CXCL8 (interleukin-8). Objective: To evaluate if menstrual cycle phases influence systemic chemokine levels in response to exercise. Time Frame: Collected at 2 time points (baseline and 4 hours post exercise) on 3 experimental trial days (1 per menstrual cycle; up to 4 cycles per participant, over approximately 16 weeks). | From enrollment, through study completion, an average of 4 months. |
| Muscle Function and Recovery- Active Range of Motion | Measure: Changes in active range of motion (AROM). Objective: To examine the impact of the menstrual cycle on functional recovery following resistance exercise. Time Frame: Assessed at 5 time points (baseline, immediately post-exercise, 4 hours post, 24 hours post, and 48 hours post) on 3 experimental trial days (1 per menstrual cycle; up to 4 cycles per participant, over approximately 16 weeks). | From enrollment, through study completion, an average of 4 months. |
| Muscle Function and Recovery- Pain Pressure Threshold | Measure: Changes in pain pressure threshold (PPT). Objective: To examine the impact of the menstrual cycle on functional recovery following resistance exercise. Time Frame: Assessed at 5 time points (baseline, immediately post-exercise, 4 hours post, 24 hours post, and 48 hours post) on 3 experimental trial days (1 per menstrual cycle; up to 4 cycles per participant, over approximately 16 weeks). |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Systemic Concentrations of Myoglobin | Measure: Plasma levels of myoglobin (MYB). Objective: To determine how menstrual cycle phases affect muscle damage/inflammation markers after resistance exercise. Time Frame: Collected at 5 time points (baseline, immediately post-exercise, 4 hours post, 24 hours post, and 48 hours post) on 3 experimental trial days per participant (approximately 16 weeks total). |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Cardiovascular Responses to Exercise | Measure: Heart rate (beats per minute) recorded during exercise using a Polar H10 heart rate monitor. Objective: To measure the cardiovascular demand of resistance exercise and determine if it varies by menstrual phase. Time Frame: Continuously monitored during each exercise session on 3 experimental trial days (approximately 16 weeks total). | From enrollment, through study completion, an average of 4 months. |
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
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Participants will be recruited from the local community and university setting, specifically from the University of Central Florida and surrounding areas. The population will consist of healthy, resistance-trained women aged 18 to 40 who are physically active and meet the criteria for regular menstrual cycles. Participants will likely be university students, staff, or individuals involved in local fitness and sports communities, with a focus on those who are familiar with structured resistance training. Recruitment will aim to reflect a diverse range of backgrounds while ensuring participants meet the health and exercise requirements of the study.
| Name | Role | Phone | Extension | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jessica M Moon | Contact | 407-823-0623 | jessica.moon@ucf.edu |
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| Facility | Status | City | State | ZIP | Country | Contacts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Central Florida | Recruiting | Orlando | Florida | 32816 | United States |
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| Label | URL |
|---|---|
| Recruitment Website | View source |
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| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D055070 | Resistance Training |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D005081 | Exercise Therapy |
| D012046 | Rehabilitation |
| D000359 | Aftercare |
| D003266 | Continuity of Patient Care |
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| From enrollment, through study completion, an average of 4 months. |
| Muscle Function and Recovery - Countermovement Jump | Measure: Changes in countermovement jump (CMJ) height. Objective: To examine the impact of the menstrual cycle on functional recovery following resistance exercise. Time Frame: Assessed at 5 time points (baseline, immediately post-exercise, 4 hours post, 24 hours post, and 48 hours post) on 3 experimental trial days (1 per menstrual cycle; up to 4 cycles per participant, over approximately 16 weeks). | From enrollment, through study completion, an average of 4 months. |
| Muscle Function and Recovery - Maximal Voluntary Isometric Contraction | Measure: Changes in maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC). Objective: To examine the impact of the menstrual cycle on functional recovery following resistance exercise. Time Frame: Assessed at 5 time points (baseline, immediately post-exercise, 4 hours post, 24 hours post, and 48 hours post) on 3 experimental trial days (1 per menstrual cycle; up to 4 cycles per participant, over approximately 16 weeks). | From enrollment, through study completion, an average of 4 months. |
| From enrollment, through study completion, an average of 4 months. |
| Systemic Concentrations of Creatine kinase | Measure: Plasma levels of creatine kinase (CK). Objective: To determine how menstrual cycle phases affect muscle damage/inflammation markers after resistance exercise. Time Frame: Collected at 5 time points (baseline, immediately post-exercise, 4 hours post, 24 hours post, and 48 hours post) on 3 experimental trial days per participant (approximately 16 weeks total). | From enrollment, through study completion, an average of 4 months. |
| Systemic Concentrations of C-Reactive Protein | Measure: Plasma levels of C-reactive protein (CRP). Objective: To determine how menstrual cycle phases affect muscle damage/inflammation markers after resistance exercise. Time Frame: Collected at 5 time points (baseline, immediately post-exercise, 4 hours post, 24 hours post, and 48 hours post) on 3 experimental trial days per participant (approximately 16 weeks total). | From enrollment, through study completion, an average of 4 months. |
| Subjective Measures of Perceived Recovery | Measure: Perceived Recovery Status Scale score. Objective: To assess perceived recovery and performance across menstrual cycle phases. Time Frame: Assessed at 5 time points (baseline, immediately post, 4 hours, 24 hours, and 48 hours post-exercise) on up to 3 experimental trial days (approximately 16 weeks total). | From enrollment, through study completion, an average of 4 months. |
| Subjective Measures of Perceived Recovery | Measure: Visual Analog Scale (VAS) ratings for recovery. Objective: To assess perceived recovery across menstrual cycle phases. Time Frame: Assessed at 5 time points (baseline, immediately post-exercise, 4 hours post, 24 hours post, and 48 hours post) on up to 4 experimental trial days per participant (approximately 16 weeks total). | From enrollment, through study completion, an average of 4 months. |
| Subjective Measures of Fatigue | Measure: Visual Analog Scale (VAS) ratings for fatigue. Objective: To assess perceived fatigue across menstrual cycle phases. Time Frame: Assessed at 5 time points (baseline, immediately post-exercise, 4 hours post, 24 hours post, and 48 hours post) on 3 experimental trial days per participant (approximately 16 weeks total). | From enrollment, through study completion, an average of 4 months. |
| Subjective Measures of Soreness | Measure: Visual Analog Scale (VAS) ratings for soreness. Objective: To assess perceived soreness across menstrual cycle phases. Time Frame: Assessed at 5 time points (baseline, immediately post-exercise, 4 hours post, 24 hours post, and 48 hours post) on 3 experimental trial days per participant (approximately 16 weeks total). | From enrollment, through study completion, an average of 4 months. |
| Subjective Sleep Quality | Measure: Groningen Sleep Quality Questionnaire (GSQQ). Objective: To investigate whether menstrual cycle phases impact subjective sleep quality. Time Frame: Assessed at 3 time points (baseline, 24 hours post, and 48 hours post) on 3 experimental trial days per participant (approximately 16 weeks total) | Time Frame: From enrollment, through study completion, an average of 4 months. |
| Subjective Sleep Quality | Measure: Self-Assessment of Sleep Survey (SASS-Y). Objective: To investigate whether menstrual cycle phases impact subjective sleep quality. Time Frame: Assessed at 1 time point (baseline) on 3 experimental trial days per participant (approximately 16 weeks total) | From enrollment, through study completion, an average of 4 months. |
| Objective Sleep Quality | Measure: Actigraph Accelerometer data. Objective: To investigate whether menstrual cycle phases impact objective sleep quality. Time Frame: Continuously monitored from 72 hours before to 48 hours after exercise on each of 3 experimental trial days (approximately 16 weeks total). | From enrollment, through study completion, an average of 4 months. |
| Mood | Measure: Profile of Mood States (POMS). Objective: To examine the influence of the menstrual cycle on mood during recovery from exercise. Time Frame: Assessed at 5 time points (baseline, immediately post-exercise, 4 hours post, 24 hours post, and 48 hours post) on 3 experimental trial days per participant (approximately 16 weeks total). | From enrollment, through study completion, an average of 4 months. |
| Menstrual Distress | Description: Measure: Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MEDI-Q). Objective: To examine the influence of the menstrual cycle on menstrual distress reporting. Time Frame: Assessed at 1 time point (baseline) on 3 experimental trial days per participant (approximately 16 weeks total) | From enrollment, through study completion, an average of 4 months. |
| Exercise Enjoyment | Measure: Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES; score range 18-126, higher scores = greater enjoyment). Objective: To evaluate whether menstrual cycle phases influence exercise enjoyment. Time Frame: Assessed immediately post-exercise on 3 experimental trial days (approximately 16 weeks total). | From enrollment, through study completion, an average of 4 months. |
| Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) | Measure: Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE; scale 6-20, higher = greater effort). Time Frame: Assessed after each exercise set and immediately post-exercise on 3 experimental trial days. | From enrollment, through study completion, an average of 4 months. |
| Repetitions in Reserve (RIR) | Measure: Repetitions in Reserve (RIR; reps estimated to be left in reserve). Time Frame: Assessed after each exercise set on 3 experimental trial days. | From enrollment, through study completion, an average of 4 months. |
| Visual Analog Scale - Exercise Difficulty | Measure: Visual Analog Scale (VAS; 0-100 mm, higher = more difficult). Time Frame: Assessed immediately post-exercise on 3 experimental trial days. | From enrollment, through study completion, an average of 4 months. |
| D005791 |
| Patient Care |
| D013812 | Therapeutics |
| D026741 | Physical Therapy Modalities |
| D064797 | Physical Conditioning, Human |
| D015444 | Exercise |
| D009043 | Motor Activity |
| D009068 | Movement |
| D009142 | Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena |
| D055687 | Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena |