Menstrual cycle phase does not affect performance in German Volume Training

Original article - Published 2024 March 31

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33233/rbfex.v23i1.5579

Keywords:

resistance training, follicular phase, luteal phase

Abstract

Introduction: Hormonal fluctuations in different phases of the menstrual cycle (MC) can influence performance and strength production capacity. Objective: To evaluate whether the phase of the MC affects performance in German Volume Training (GVT) in eumenorrheic women not using contraceptives. Methods: Nine young women participated. The MC was 28.78 ± 0.83 days. The phases were determined by estrogen, progesterone, luteinizing hormones, and calendar. Strength was assessed by the 1RM test. For the GVT, a warm up of one set of 10 repetitions was performed, with 50% of the load from the 1RM test. After a two-minute interval, the first series of the protocol (80% of 1 RM) was performed, with 10 series until concentric failure, with a 60-second interval between series on the 45° leg press. The data are presented as (mean ± standard deviation). The Shapiro Wilk test was performed. A two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repetition factor was used for the variables: Volume (number of repetitions * load) per set, and RPE. The Tukey post-test was applied. For the variables: total volume, estrogen and progesterone hormones, the Student’s t-test was applied. The ICC for the 1RM retest. The significance level was p < 0.05. The program used for statistical analysis was GraphPad Prism (8.4.3).  Results: The load in the 1RM test was higher (p = 0.0065) in the luteal phase (174.67 ± 53.89 Kg) compared to the follicular phase (167.67 ± 48.74 kg). There was no significant difference in total session volume and RPE (Rating of Perceived Exertion). Conclusion: The phase of the MC does not affect performance in GVT in women.

Author Biographies

Rodrigo Nogueira Ramos, UFES

Laboratório de Fisiologia do Exercício (LAFEX), Laboratório de Força e Condicionamento (LAFEC), Programa de Graduação em Educação Física, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (UFES), Vitória, ES, Brasil

Alexander de Araújo Mendes, UFES

Laboratório de Fisiologia do Exercício (LAFEX), Laboratório de Força e Condicionamento (LAFEC), Programa de Graduação em Educação Física – Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (UFES), Vitória, ES, Brasil

Letícia Velten, UFES

Laboratório de Fisiologia do Exercício (LAFEX), Laboratório de Força e Condicionamento (LAFEC), Programa de Graduação em Educação Física – Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (UFES), Vitória, ES, Brasil

Lucas Rangel Afonso Miranda, UFES

Laboratório de Fisiologia do Exercício (LAFEX), Laboratório de Força e Condicionamento (LAFEC), Programa de Graduação em Educação Física – Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (UFES), Vitória, ES, Brasil

Danilo Sales Bocalini, UFES

Programa de Graduação em Educação Física, Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (UFES), Vitória, ES, Brasil

Richard Diego Leite, UFES

Laboratório de Fisiologia do Exercício (LAFEX), Laboratório de Força e Condicionamento (LAFEC), Programa de Graduação em Educação Física, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (UFES), Vitória, ES, Brasil

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Published

2024-03-31