[Influence of Menstrual Cycle Phase on Catecholamine Response to Sprint Exercise in the Woman]

The aim of the present study was to verify the menstrual cycle phase influence on catecholamine concentrations (adrenaline (A) and noradrenaline (NA)), peak power (P(pic)), and peak lactatemia (La(pic)) in response to a 6 s sprint exercise on a cycle ergometer in eight untrained women (19.1 +/- 0.9 years, 167.7 +/- 5.4 cm, 59.5 +/- 4.7 kg). All women realize the 6 s sprint test in the morning, within the same menstrual cycle, in the follicular (PF) and the luteal phase (PL). Plasma catecholamine concentrations were determined at rest (A0 and NA0), immediately at the end of the sprint exercise (AEX and NAEX), and after 5 min of recovery (A5 and NA5). P(pic) and La(pic) were not significantly affected by the menstrual cycle phase. Catecholamine concentrations measured at rest, in response to the 6 s sprint test and after 5 min of recovery were not significantly different in PF and PL. Significant relationships were observed between AEX and La(pic) (r = 0.53, p < 0.01) and between AEX and P(pic) (r = 0.70, p < 0.01). In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the menstrual cycle phase did not alter performance, lactatemia, and sympatho-adrenergic responses to a short sprint exercise in untrained women.