Resumen de Comparison of cardiorespiratory resistance in different menstrual cycle phases in female futsal players

Joana Nabo, Ana Conceiçao, José A. Parraça, Pablo Tomás Carús , Nuno Batalha

• Introduction This study was aimed to investigated and compare the cardiorespiratory resistance of futsal players during the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle.

  Material and methods Fourteen female players (age: 24.1±4.1 years; body mass: 59.6±9.1kg; height: 1.64±0.06m; index body mass: 22.1±2.8kg/m2) were submitted to a cardiorespiratory resistance test, that was performed in a calibrated treadmill, where we had as reference for the calculation of VO2max. Each subject also performed two evaluations of the intended test, corresponding to the phases of the menstrual cycle: folicular phase (day 8±3) and luteal phase (day 20±2).

  Results The results of the present research showed that there were significant changes, showing higher values of the cardiorespiratory resistance in luteal phase (VO2max=41.199ml/kg/min) compared to folicular phase of the menstrual cycle (VO2max=39.030ml/kg/min), where p=0.043. There is still a great deal of controversy in the existing literature when considering a relationship of menstrual cycle phases to physical exercise.

  Conclusion The cardiorespiratory resistance of futsal players was increased in luteal phase compared to follicular phase, and management of the training is advisable, namely in type and volume.