Methodological Approach of the Iron and Muscular Damage: Female Metabolism and Menstrual Cycle during Exercise Project (IronFEMME Study)

Background: The increase in exercise levels the last few years among professional and recreational female athletes has led to an increased scientific interest about sports health performance athlete population. purpose of IronFEMME Study described this protocol article is determine influence different hormonal profiles on iron metabolism response endurance exercise, main markers muscle damage resistance exercise; both eumenorrheic, oral contraceptive (OC) users postmenopausal well-trained women. Methods: This project observational controlled randomized counterbalanced study. One hundered four (104) active healthy women were selected participate Study, 57 which 31 OC 16 postmenopausal. consisted two sections carried out at same time: (study I) II). For study I, interval running test (eight bouts 3 min 85% maximal aerobic speed), whereas II was eccentric-based (10 sets 10 repetitions plate-loaded barbell parallel back squats 60% their one repetition maximum (1RM) with 2 recovery between sets). In studies, eumenorrheic participants evaluated three specific moments menstrual cycle: early-follicular phase, late-follicular phase mid-luteal phase; performed trial moments: withdrawal pill phase. Lastly, only tested once, since status does not fluctuate. three-step method used verify cycle phase: calendar counting, blood confirmation, urine-based ovulation kits. Blood samples obtained measure sex hormones, parameters, related markers. Discussion: been designed knowledge regarding hormones some aspects exercise-related physiology. Iron exercise-induced will be studied considering reproductive present throughout females’ lifespan.