Does Timing of Oral Contraceptive Pill Intake Affect Physical Performance-Related Parameters? A Randomized...

Area of Science:

• Exercise Physiology
• Sports Science
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Oral contraceptives (OCs) are widely used by female athletes.
• Hormonal fluctuations from OCs may impact physiological responses to exercise.
• Understanding these effects is crucial for optimizing training and performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if the timing of oral contraceptive (OC) intake influences maximal oxygen uptake, strength, and power.
• Specifically, to compare performance 1 hour versus 24 hours after OC pill ingestion.

Main Methods:

• Twenty-nine trained female OC users participated in a crossover study.
• Physical performance tests (balance, strength, power, endurance, VO2 max) were conducted 1 and 24 hours post-OC intake.
• Hormone levels were analyzed in a subsample; psychological well-being was also assessed.

Main Results:

• Handgrip strength was significantly higher when tested 1 hour after OC intake compared to 24 hours.
• Balance stand time was significantly shorter 1 hour post-OC intake versus 24 hours.
• No significant differences were found in maximal oxygen uptake, endurance, agility, or jump height.

Conclusions:

• The acute timing of oral contraceptive (OC) intake can influence specific physical performance metrics like balance and handgrip strength.
• Standardizing OC intake timing is recommended in future research involving OC users to control for potential hormonal effects.
• These findings highlight the need to consider hormonal fluctuations in athletic performance research.