Hackney, Anthony C.; Kallman, Ashley L.; Aǧgön, Eser

Study aim: Evidence supports female sex hormones have an influencing effect on amultitude of physiological and psychological systems related to exercise. Little is known, however, whether is effect persist into the recovery from exercise. Our objective was to examine aspects of muscle damage/inflammation process during recovery in healthy, exercise-trained women following endurance activity at the mid-follicular (MF; low sex hormone level) and mid-luteal (ML; elevated sex hormone levels) phases of their menstrual cycle. Material and methods: The MF and ML exercise sessions consisted of running for 90 minutes at 70% VO2max on atreadmill in a controlled laboratory environment. Menstrual cycle phase was hormonally confirmed, diet and physical activity was control throughout the study. Outcome measures were: Blood creatine kinase (CK) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) assessed at immediate-post exercise (IP), 24-hour and 72-hour into recovery. Statistics involved ANOVA procedures. Results: At 24-hours and 72-hour into recovery CK activity was greater in MF than ML (p < 0.05) while for IL-6 at IP, 24-hour and 72-hour responses were significantly greater at MF than at ML (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Amore robust recovery CK and IL-6 response occur in the MF of the menstrual cycle when female sex hormones are reduced. This finding suggests female sex hormone changes due to menstrual cycle phase affect the physiologic responses during the extended recovery period from intensive exercise in eumenorrheic women.

Sönmez, Gul Tiryaki; Çolak, Mergul; Sönmez, Sedat; Schoenfeld, Brad

Study aim: To determine the effects of mint extract on muscle pain and blood lactate levels after a 400-m run. Material and methods: A group of 16 physical education students (mean age 21.81 +/- 2.13 years) volunteered to participate in the study. The subjects were randomly assigned into 3 groups: mint, placebo or control. The mint group was given orally mint extract (5 ml/kg of body mass) and the placebo group was given unsweetened tea (5 ml/kg) in a double-blind fashion and cross-over design one hour before a 400-m running test. Subjects in the control group remained untreated. The effect of mint extract on muscle pain was recorded by an inquiry; blood lactate levels were measured after the running test. Results: Oral administration of mint extract significantly (p<0.01) decreased blood lactate concentrations but muscle pain levels remained unchanged in all groups. Conclusions: Oral administration of mint extract may have a beneficial effect on blood lactate clearance and therefore may increase athletic performance.