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Effects of Female Reproductive Hormones on Sports Performance

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Endocrinology of Physical Activity and Sport

Part of the book series: Contemporary Endocrinology ((COE))

Abstract

Women of reproductive age experience regular physical changes in their bodies due to hormonal alterations during the course of their ovulatory menstrual cycles, as well as during pregnancy and with the administration of oral contraceptive pills. The variations in endogenous and exogenous levels of estrogen and progesterone have the potential to affect sports performance through several possible mechanisms: changes in energy/fuel sources; effects on various components of physical fitness, body temperature control, and fluid retention; psychological changes; and, finally, changes in the risks of certain injuries. Existing studies in this important area have used many different methodologies to assess and characterize both menstrual cycle phase and aspects of physical fitness and sports performance. Based on the evidence to date, it can be recommended that athletes and coaches monitor each female athlete’s individual responses to these potential periodic perturbations in physical performance during training and competition. Oral contraceptives can also have some independent effects depending on the formulation used. In certain cases, it may be advantageous to utilize these medications to manipulate the menstrual cycle around important competitions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Family Medicine, Level 2, Kaye Edmonton Clinic, Glen Sather Sports Medicine Clinic, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada

    Constance M. Lebrun

  2. Griffith Health Institute, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia

    Sarah M. Joyce

  3. Heidi Rothberg Sport Medicine Center, Department of Sport Medicine, Shaare Zedek Medical Center Jerusalem, affiliated with the Hebrew University School of Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel

    Naama W. Constantini

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  1. Constance M. Lebrun
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  3. Naama W. Constantini
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Correspondence to Constance M. Lebrun .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Exercise & Sport Science, Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA

    Anthony C. Hackney

  2. Heidi Rothberg Sport Medicine Center, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel

    Naama W. Constantini

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Lebrun, C.M., Joyce, S.M., Constantini, N.W. (2020). Effects of Female Reproductive Hormones on Sports Performance. In: Hackney, A., Constantini, N. (eds) Endocrinology of Physical Activity and Sport. Contemporary Endocrinology. Humana, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-33376-8_16

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