Menstrual Cycle Phase Based Training

NCT05936424 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 16355
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 24
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The primary purpose of this study is to employ state-of-the-art methods to fill current knowledge gaps on the effects of the menstrual cycle on resistance exercise training adaptations. This work will reduce the sex gap present in exercise physiology, improving women's health information by yielding a deeper understanding of the effect of female physiology on exercise adaptations and subsequent health benefits. Employing a unilateral training design, participant's will have their legs randomized to one of four groups: non-exercise control (CON), exercise control (EX), Follicular based training (FOL), Luteal based training (LUT) Researchers will compare these conditions to see if there are greater benefits to prioritizing resistance training around phases of the menstrual cycle,

Conditions

Menstrual Cycle; Resistance Exercise

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Muscle Hypertrophy

  The investigators will be measuring participant's muscle cross-sectional area of the quadriceps pre and post training intervention via ultrasound (US) US is used to measure skeletal muscle thickness and cross-sectional area. A trained and experienced study investigator will perform the US measures. US will be used to measure the cross-sectional area of the vastus lateralis muscle on both legs. After remaining supine for 15-minute, your feet will be positioned in a custom foot-hold apparatus that prevents depression of the thigh against the bed. Mid-thigh will be identified via palpation. A marker will be used to draw a line down your leg, perpendicular to the surface of the bed, and horizontal markings will be made every 2 cm serving as a guideline for ultrasound probe placement. Ultrasound images will be taken at each horizontal marking and used to measure the muscle cross-sectional area of the quadriceps.

  16 weeks

• Muscular Strength

  The investigators will be measuring participant's muscle strength via one-repetition maximum testing using the unilateral leg press.

  16 Weeks

Study Arms (4)

Non-Exercise Control (CON)

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

This condition will serve as a non-exercise control and will not be performing resistance exercise training (RET)

Other: Non-Exercise Control Leg

Follicular Based Training (FOL)

EXPERIMENTAL

This condition will have high volume of RET (20 weekly sets) during the follicular phase and low volume during the luteal phase of the participant's menstrual cycle.

Other: Unilateral Resistance Exercise Leg

Luteal Based Training (LUT)

EXPERIMENTAL

This condition will have high volume of RET (20 weekly sets) during the luteal phase and low volume during the follicular phase of the participant's menstrual cycle.

Other: Unilateral Resistance Exercise Leg

Exercise Control (EX)

EXPERIMENTAL

This condition will have consistent training volume (12 weekly sets) throughout the duration of the study, regardless of what phase of the menstrual cycle the participant is in.

Other: Unilateral Resistance Exercise Leg

Interventions

Unilateral Resistance Exercise Leg OTHER

One will perform unilateral resistance exercise

Exercise Control (EX); Follicular Based Training (FOL); Luteal Based Training (LUT)

Non-Exercise Control Leg OTHER

One leg will serve as a non-exercise control

Non-Exercise Control (CON)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 30 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Women, between the ages of 18 - 30 years (inclusive)
• Have a body mass index (BMI) between 18-35 kg·m2 (inclusive)
• Be in general good health as assessed by a general health questionnaire
• Non-smoking
• Regular menstrual cycle (21-35 days, inclusive)
• Not using hormonal contraceptives
• Willing and able to provide informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Use of tobacco or related products.
• Ineligible to participate in physical activity based on get active questionnaire (GAQ)
• Any concurrent medical, orthopedic, or psychiatric condition that, in the opinion of the Investigator, would compromise his/her ability to comply with the study requirements.
• Current illnesses which could interfere with the study (e.g. prolonged severe diarrhea, regurgitation, difficulty swallowing)
• Use of hormonal contraceptives
• Currently pregnant
• Training more than 3x/week for the past 6 months.
• Have any electronic medical or metal implants
• A history of neuromuscular disorders or muscle/bone wasting diseases
• The use of any medications known to affect protein metabolism (glucocorticoids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication, or prescription strength acne medication, etc.)
• A (family) history of thrombosis
• The use of anticoagulant medications
• Excessive alcohol consumption (\>21 units/wk)
• History of bleeding diathesis, platelet or coagulation disorders, or antiplatelet/anticoagulation therapy

Sponsors & Collaborators

• McMaster University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Exercise Metabolism Research Laboratory, McMaster Univeristy

Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4K1, Canada

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: As this is a resistance exercise training intervention, participants will be unable to be masked to their treatment condition.
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor

Model Details: Randomized controlled trial (RCT), within-between subject design. Legs will be randomized to one of four groups: non-exercise control (CON), exercise control (EX), Follicular based training (FOL), Luteal based training (LUT)

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 22, 2023
• First Posted: July 7, 2023
• Study Start: September 1, 2023
• Primary Completion: November 15, 2024
• Study Completion: November 30, 2024
• Last Updated: August 22, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CA (1)