Lack of Influence of the Menstrual Cycle on Blood Lactate

In brief: Some female athletes report that i their performance varies between phases of the menstrual cycle, and some may use oral contraceptives to modify their cycles. To determine if energy metabolism varies across the cycle, the author examined the response of blood lactate to 60 minutes of moderate-intensity, steady-state exercise during the beginning (early follicular phase) and near the end (midluteal phase) of the menstrual cycle. Lactate increased during exercise in both phases, but it did not differ significantly between phases. The author concluded that the menstrual cycle exerts no effect on blood lactate concentration during moderate-intensity, steady-state exercise.