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Understanding Menstrual Cycle Effects on Exercise Recovery

This observational study aims to understand how your menstrual cycle affects your body's immune response and recovery after resistance exercise. Researchers are looking for healthy women, aged 18-40, who weigh at least 110 pounds and regularly do resistance training. You would perform specific resistance exercises (like belt squats and deadlifts) during three different phases of your menstrual cycle: early follicular, late follicular, and mid-luteal. The study will measure how your immune cells (specifically neutrophils) respond and how well your muscles recover. The goal is to see if your menstrual cycle influences these responses. The study plans to enroll 40 participants, but its current status is unclear.

Study design
This is an observational study planning to enroll 40 healthy women. It will compare immune responses and recovery during different phases of the menstrual cycle.
What's involved
You would complete resistance exercise protocols across three different menstrual cycle phases. The study will last an average of 4 months.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your immune cell activity, immune markers, and muscle function will be measured over an average of 4 months.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT06985420

The Effect of the Menstrual Cycle on Immune Cell Activity and Recovery After Resistance Exercise

Recruiting
Not specifiedAges 18–40Observational
University of Central Florida
~40 participants
Updated 2025-05-22 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Resistance exerciseMenstrual Cycle Phases

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Neutrophil Recruitment and Adhesion Dynamics
Measured over From enrollment, through study completion, an average of 4 months.
+5 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Healthy Women
Menstruation
Resistance Exercise

Explore related trials

Healthy Volunteers

NCT06985420

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 1 site. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

  • University of Central Florida

    Orlando, Floridastudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.

Who to contact

Jessica M Moon
[email protected]
407-823-0623
Email the study team

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Women between the ages of 18 and 40.
Must weigh at least 110 pounds.
Healthy as determined by medical history, physical activity readiness, and menstrual cycle questionnaires.
Actively resistance training for at least 6 months (minimum of 3 resistance training sessions per week, with at least one lower body session).
Pre-menopausal and have a regular menstrual cycle (eumenorrheic), with a clear start of menses (early follicular phase).
Not currently pregnant or planning to become pregnant during the study.
Have not used hormonal birth control or intrauterine devices in the past 3 months (or three full menstrual cycles).
Able to recall approximate start dates of their last 6 menstrual cycles.
Willing to follow study instructions, including avoiding exercise, alcohol, and caffeine before testing visits.
Free from previous or current lower body injuries that could limit performance.
Not regularly taking any medications that could interfere with the study.
Determined to have a high likelihood of successful blood draws by a certified phlebotomist.

Exclusion

Do not give consent to participate.
Have been determined unfit to participate based on medical or activity history (using health questionnaires).
Currently take prescription or over-the-counter medication that could affect the study results.
Have a chronic illness requiring medical care.
Not currently resistance-trained (don't meet the exercise requirement).
Pregnant or planning to become pregnant during the study.
Do not have regular periods or have been diagnosed as amenorrhoeic (absence of menstruation).
Currently taking any performance-enhancing drugs.
Currently using hormonal birth control or intrauterine devices (IUDs), or have used them in the past three months (or three full menstrual cycles).
Determined unlikely to have a successful blood draw by a trained phlebotomist.
Weigh less than 110 pounds.

What this trial measures

  • Neutrophil Recruitment and Adhesion DynamicsFrom enrollment, through study completion, an average of 4 months.

    Measure: Neutrophil cell index (impedance reflecting neutrophil migration) using Real-Time Cell Analysis (RTCA). Objective: To assess the differences in neutrophil recruitment and adhesion across menstrual cycle phases (early follicular, late follicular, and mid-luteal). Time Frame: Assessed at 2 time points (baseline and 4 hours post exercise) on 3 experimental trial days (1 per menstrual cycle; up to 4 cycles per participant, over approximately 16 weeks).

  • Systemic Concentrations of CXCL8From enrollment, through study completion, an average of 4 months.

    Measure: Plasma levels of CXCL8 (interleukin-8). Objective: To evaluate if menstrual cycle phases influence systemic chemokine levels in response to exercise. Time Frame: Collected at 2 time points (baseline and 4 hours post exercise) on 3 experimental trial days (1 per menstrual cycle; up to 4 cycles per participant, over approximately 16 weeks).

  • Muscle Function and Recovery- Active Range of MotionFrom enrollment, through study completion, an average of 4 months.

    Measure: Changes in active range of motion (AROM). Objective: To examine the impact of the menstrual cycle on functional recovery following resistance exercise. Time Frame: Assessed at 5 time points (baseline, immediately post-exercise, 4 hours post, 24 hours post, and 48 hours post) on 3 experimental trial days (1 per menstrual cycle; up to 4 cycles per participant, over approximately 16 weeks).

  • Muscle Function and Recovery- Pain Pressure ThresholdFrom enrollment, through study completion, an average of 4 months.

    Measure: Changes in pain pressure threshold (PPT). Objective: To examine the impact of the menstrual cycle on functional recovery following resistance exercise. Time Frame: Assessed at 5 time points (baseline, immediately post-exercise, 4 hours post, 24 hours post, and 48 hours post) on 3 experimental trial days (1 per menstrual cycle; up to 4 cycles per participant, over approximately 16 weeks).

  • Muscle Function and Recovery - Countermovement JumpFrom enrollment, through study completion, an average of 4 months.

    Measure: Changes in countermovement jump (CMJ) height. Objective: To examine the impact of the menstrual cycle on functional recovery following resistance exercise. Time Frame: Assessed at 5 time points (baseline, immediately post-exercise, 4 hours post, 24 hours post, and 48 hours post) on 3 experimental trial days (1 per menstrual cycle; up to 4 cycles per participant, over approximately 16 weeks).

  • Muscle Function and Recovery - Maximal Voluntary Isometric ContractionFrom enrollment, through study completion, an average of 4 months.

    Measure: Changes in maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC). Objective: To examine the impact of the menstrual cycle on functional recovery following resistance exercise. Time Frame: Assessed at 5 time points (baseline, immediately post-exercise, 4 hours post, 24 hours post, and 48 hours post) on 3 experimental trial days (1 per menstrual cycle; up to 4 cycles per participant, over approximately 16 weeks).