Oral Contraceptive Use Dampens Physiological Adaptations to Sprint Interval Training

Purpose: Oral contraceptive (OC) use reduces peak aerobic capacity (V˙O2peak); however, whether it also influences adaptations to training has yet to be determined. This study aimed to examine the influence of OC use on peak performance (peak power output [PPO]) and physiological adaptations (V˙O2peak and peak cardiac output [Q˙peak]) after sprint interval training (SIT) in recreationally active women.

Methods: Women taking an OC (n = 25) or experiencing natural regular menstrual cycles (MC; n = 16) completed an incremental exercise test to assess V˙O2peak, PPO, and Q˙peak before, immediately after, and 4 wk after 12 sessions of SIT. The SIT consisted ten 1-min efforts at 100% to 120% PPO in a 1:2 work-rest ratio.

Results: Though V˙O2peak increased in both groups after SIT (both P < 0.001), the MC group showed greater improvement (OC, +8.5%; MC, +13.0%; P = 0.010). Similarly, Q˙peak increased in both groups, with greater improvement in the MC group (OC, +4.0%; MC, +16.1%; P = 0.013). PPO increased in both groups (OC, +13.1%; MC, +13.8%; NS). All parameters decreased 4 wk after SIT cessation, but remained elevated from pretraining levels; the OC group showed more sustained training effects in V˙O2peak (OC, -4.0%; MC, -7.7%; P = 0.010).

Conclusion: SIT improved peak exercise responses in recreationally active women. However, OC use dampened V˙O2peak and Q˙peak adaptation. A follow-up period indicated that OC users had spared V˙O2peak adaptations, suggesting that OC use may influence the time course of physiological training adaptations. Therefore, OC use should be verified, controlled for, and considered when interpreting physiological adaptations to exercise training in women.