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ASSESSING THE MENSTRUATION-RELATED CHANGES OF HEMATOCRIT AND ITS INFLUENCE ON MAXIMAL EXERCISE PERFORMANCE

Abstract

Heenan R, Goodheart C, Brady G, Albers M, Crosswhite, P.

Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA.

Hematocrit (Hct) is a ratio of red blood cells to plasma in a blood sample. When this ratio increases, the ability to carry oxygen increases. When biological females go through the menstrual cycle, time durations of blood loss result in a reduced oxygen-carrying capacity. PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate whether a change in hematocrit due to menstruation-associated blood loss significantly affects maximal exercise performance. METHODS: We conducted VO2max tests on four moderately trained females ages 18-22 yr. Each subject completed three VO2maxtests on a bike: a familiarization day and two test days. Test day 1 corresponded to day 7 of their cycle, when hematocrit was predicted to be the lowest. Test day 2 corresponded to day 14 of their cycle when hematocrit was predicted to be fully recovered. RESULTS: Statistical significance was found between absolute VO2max on test day 1 and test day 2 (p=0.004). This was further supported by a significant difference in end wattage between test day 1 and test day 2 (p= 0.037 ) and final time between test day 1 and test day 2 (p=0.041). As anticipated, there was a significant difference in hematocrit between test day 1 and test day 2 (p=0.038). No statistically significant difference was found between relative VO2max on test day 1 and test day 2 (p= 0.068). CONCLUSION: We concluded that menstruation-associated blood loss points to significant changes in hematocrit which further affects maximal exercise performance in college-aged females.

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