Menstrual cycle hormonal changes: estradiol-β-17 and progesterone interactions on exercise fat oxidation

Excerpt

During the last 50 years, research has demonstrated significant physiologic roles of female sex steroid hormones (SSH) on biological processes beyond reproduction. In the 1970s, findings from animal models began linking how SSHs, especially estrogens, impacted energy producing metabolic pathways [1]. Expansion to human models, where SSH were endogenously and exogenously manipulated, resulted in varied carbohydrate and fat oxidation rates for energy production (i.e., ATP) based on the underlying hormonal status [1]. Overall energy production, and the predominant substrate utilized, can have profound impacts on the ability of an individual to perform exercise [2]. Of late, tremendous public-scientific interest has developed concerning the influences of SSH changes across a woman’s menstrual cycle (MC) to affect their exercise training and sports performance capacity [3]. This interest is warranted since 49.6% of the world’s population is female and the number of women engaging in exercise activities for health or sporting endeavors is growing exponentially [4]. …