Effect of menstrual cycle phase and exercise training on serum lipids

Studies of serum lipids in women training are inconclusive and have not considered menstrual hormones. Women (N = 8, 20-25 yrs) were studied over 3 consecutive cycles. The first cycle was a control cycle and then they trained for two cycles (3 times/wk for 30 min/day at 60% max HR reserve). Blood samples were drawn 5 to 7 days after the onset of menses (M) and mid-luteal (L) of all three cycles. Cycle phase (i.e. M vs L) did not influence total cholesterol or HDL cholesterol but triglyceride (TG) was higher (p less than 0.05) at M. The training period (65 +/- 7.5 days (SD) resulted in a significant (p less than 0.05) increase in VO2 max and decrease in resting HR. Training resulted in a decline (p less than 0.05) in HDL cholesterol from M1 to M2 (1.32 +/- 0.26 to 1.12 +/- 0.23 mmol/L) and a return to control by M3 (1.36 +/- 0.37 mmol/L). Training also resulted in TG declining (p less than 0.05) from L1 to L2 and from M2 to M3. Cycle phase only affected TG. Exercise training, however, resulted in a decline in TG and an initial decline in HDL cholesterol and a return to control levels during the second month of training.