Influence of the menstrual cycle phase on the responses of catecholamines to sprint exercise in women

The aim of the present study was to verify the menstrual cycle phase influence on catecholamine concentrations (adrenaline (A) and noradrenaline (NA)), peak power (Ppic), 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 (A(0) and NA(0)), immediately at the end of the sprint exercise (A(EX) and NA(EX)), and after 5amin of recovery (A(5) and NA(5)). Ppic 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 5amin of recovery were not significantly different in PF and PL. Significant relationships were observed between A(EX) and La-pic (r = 0.53, p < 0.01) and between A(EX) and Ppic (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.