Follicular and luteal phase hormonal responses to low-volume resistive exercise

The purpose of the study was to 1) determine the effects of a low-volume resistive exercise protocol on serum concentrations of estradiol (E2), progesterone (P4), growth hormone (GH), testosterone (T), and androstenedione (AN) and 2) ascertain whether the endocrine responses are affected by the phase of the menstrual cycle. Eleven untrained, healthy women were assigned to either an early follicular or luteal testing group. The subjects completed three sets of bench press, lat-pull, leg extension, and leg curl exercises at a 10 repetition maximum load on fixed machines with 2-min of rest between sets. Blood samples were collected through an indwelling cannula before, during, and after the exercise. Area-under-the-response-curve (AUC) data demonstrated that E2 concentrations were significantly elevated in both follicular and luteal phases with a greater response in the luteal phase. Moreover, data suggest there is a luteal phase-induced increase in GH and AN in response to the low-volume resistive exercise; however, P4 and T concentrations in untrained women are not increased by low-volume resistive exercise with 2-min rest periods, nor does the altered hormonal milieu produced by the phase of the menstrual cycle affect these hormonal responses.