Actively Recruiting
Influence of Menstrual Cycle Phase on Adaptations to Sprint Interval Training
Led by University of Toronto · Updated on 2026-04-29
24
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
78 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Sprint interval training improves endurance performance and induces metabolic adaptations in muscle. Most research demonstrating these responses has been conducted in males, with limited studies evaluating changes to endurance performance and skeletal muscle oxidative capacity in females. Moreover, it is currently unknown if training in specific phases of the menstrual cycle influences adaptations to training. Thus, the purpose of the present study is to compare adaptations to 2 weeks of sprint interval training performed in the follicular vs. luteal phase of the menstrual cycle in healthy, eumenorrheic women.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Influence of Menstrual Cycle Phase on Adaptations to Sprint Interval Training
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Female participants aged 18 to 35 years
- Engaging in at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per week
- VO2peak at or above 35.0 ml/kg/min according to ACSM standards
- Body mass index (BMI) between 18 and 27 kg/m2
- Performing 2 to 4 structured exercise sessions weekly
- Weight stable within plus or minus 2 kg for at least 6 months
- Non-smoker
- Menstrual cycle length between 27 and 35 days with minimal variability (less than 3 days)
- Ovulating monthly confirmed by positive urinary luteinizing hormone surge
- Blood progesterone level greater than 16 nmol/L
You will not qualify if you...
- Use of hormonal contraceptives within the last 3 months
- Diagnosis of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) or endometriosis
- Failure to meet menstrual cycle verification criteria
- Diagnosed cardiovascular or metabolic diseases, hyper- or hypogonadism, or PCOS
- Use of medications for blood glucose or lipid metabolism management
- Irregular menstrual cycles shorter than 27 days or longer than 35 days
- Pregnant, postpartum within 12 months, lactating or breastfeeding within 3 months, or menopausal
- Recreational tobacco smoking
- Inability to perform study exercises or follow diet and activity controls
- Use of medications affecting metabolism such as corticosteroids or NSAIDs
- Following a low-carbohydrate diet like ketogenic or Atkins
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport
Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5S 2C9
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
J
Jenna Gillen Assistant Professor, PhD
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Number of Arms
2
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