Menstrual cycle phase does not affect performance in German Volume Training
Original article - Published 2024 March 31
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33233/rbfex.v23i1.5579Keywords:
resistance training, follicular phase, luteal phaseAbstract
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.
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