No Effect of Menstrual Phase on Appetite-Regulatory Parameters After a Moderate-Intensity Exercise Session.

Area of Science:

• Exercise Physiology
• Endocrinology
• Sports Science

Background:

• Exercise interventions show varying weight loss effectiveness in females versus males, suggesting a role for the menstrual cycle.
• Ovarian hormone fluctuations may influence appetite regulation during exercise, but responses across all menstrual phases are not well-studied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate differences in appetite-regulating hormones and perceptions after moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) across three distinct menstrual phases.
• To compare energy intake following MICT across the follicular, ovulatory, and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle.

Main Methods:

• Thirteen females completed 30-minute MICT running during the follicular, ovulatory, and luteal phases.
• Measured acylated ghrelin, active GLP-1, glucose, insulin, lactate, and appetite perceptions pre- and post-exercise.
• Assessed 3-day energy intake around each exercise session.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in acylated ghrelin, active GLP-1, or appetite perceptions were observed across menstrual phases.
• Time effects were noted for increasing ghrelin, decreasing GLP-1, and increasing appetite perceptions.
• Energy intake, glucose, insulin, and lactate levels did not differ across the menstrual phases.

Conclusions:

• Moderate-intensity continuous training running does not elicit different appetite responses across the mid-follicular, ovulatory, or mid-luteal phases.
• These findings suggest menstrual phase does not impact acute appetite regulation following exercise in eumenorrheic females.