ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN MENSTRUAL CYCLE PHASE, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVEL AND DIETARY MACRONUTRIENT INTAKE.

Area of Science:

• Nutrition Science
• Sports Medicine
• Reproductive Endocrinology

Background:

• Menstrual cycle phases (follicular and luteal) may influence energy and macronutrient needs.
• Physical activity level is a known factor affecting metabolic rate and dietary requirements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between physical activity levels, menstrual cycle phases, and energy/macronutrient intake in eumenorrheic women.
• To determine if follicular phase and luteal phase diets differ based on physical activity status.

Main Methods:

• Daily food consumption and basal body temperature were recorded for 23 eumenorrheic women over one menstrual cycle.
• Participants were categorized into physically active (PA) and physically inactive (PIA) groups.

Main Results:

• Physically active women had significantly higher relative energy intake than inactive women.
• Carbohydrate intake was higher in the follicular phase compared to the luteal phase for both groups.
• Protein and fat intake were higher in the luteal phase compared to the follicular phase, with inactive women consuming more fat overall.

Conclusions:

• Menstrual cycle phase and physical activity level significantly impact energy and macronutrient intake in young women.
• Dietary patterns show distinct variations between follicular and luteal phases, further modulated by physical activity.
• These findings highlight the importance of considering hormonal fluctuations and exercise status in nutritional guidance for women.