Female Sex Hormones for Exercise Performance

Overseen By Todd Schroeder, PhD

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Female

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Southern California

Must not be taking: Contraceptives, Exogenous hormones

Disqualifiers: Amenorrhea, Menopausal, Cardiac disability, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 5

Duration: 4 weeks

30 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

The fluctuating concentrations of female sex hormones, namely estrogen and progesterone may have an effect on the ability of the tissue to withstand challenging exercise conditions, such as eccentric exercise. These sex hormones have also been purported to influence the perceived difficulty of exercise. This study aims to uncover how the different estrogen and progesterone concentrations present throughout the menstrual cycle effect perceived readiness to perform, perceptions of difficulty, and different recovery metrics.

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for women with a BMI of 18.5-29.9, not on contraception or hormone treatments, who have regular menstrual cycles and are free from chronic diseases and gynecological conditions like PCOS or endometriosis. Participants should be new to downhill running, weigh at least 110 lbs, and not be pregnant.

Inclusion Criteria

BMI of 18.5-29.9

Regular menstruation

Novel to downhill running

Exclusion Criteria

On a form of contraception

Pacemaker

Uncontrolled hemorrhage

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants undergo exercise sessions at different phases of their menstrual cycle to assess the impact of hormone levels on exercise performance and recovery

4 weeks

3 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for muscle soreness, inflammatory markers, and muscle function after exercise

1 week

2 visits (in-person)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Female Endogenous Sex Hormones

Trial Overview The study investigates how varying levels of estrogen and progesterone during the menstrual cycle affect readiness to perform eccentric leg extension exercises, perceived difficulty of these exercises, and recovery metrics.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Medium estrogen; high progesterone Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will come in just after ovulation when estrogen concentrations are at a medium level, and progesterone concentrations are high.

Group II: Low estrogen; low progesterone Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will come in while on their period. During this time estrogen and progesterone concentrations are low.

Group III: High estrogen; low progesterone Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will come in just before ovulation, when estrogen concentrations are high and progesterone concentrations remain low.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Southern California

Lead Sponsor

Trials

956

Recruited

1,609,000+