FREQUENCY VARIATIONS OF STRENGTH TRAINING SESSIONS TRIGGERED BY THE PHASES OF THE MENSTRUAL-CYCLE

The aim of the study was to compare the effects of two different model s of altering the frequency of strength training sessions of females. The ''regular training'' (RT) consisted of one training unit every thi rd day over the whole menstrual cycle. The ''menstrual cycle triggered training'' (MCTT) was characterized by workouts every second day in t he follicular and about once per week during the luteal phase. In orde r to increase maximal strength (MS) the participants performed 3 sets with 12 reps each. Endogenous processes were controlled by measurement s of body-temperature, control of the luteinizing-hormone peak, and by analysing serum hormone (estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, and c ortisol) and sexual hormone binding globulin (SHBG) levels. MS and mus cle cross-sectional area (MCA) of the quadriceps femoris were investig ated. The result of the MCTT showed a clear increase in the MS of 32.6 % compared to 13.1 % by the RT. Significant MCTT-induced MS increase was observed during the second menstrual cycle. The ratio of MS/MCA in creased by 10.5 % (RT) and 27.6 % (MCTT). Despite a wide interindividu al variability, all subjects showed higher strength adaptations by MCT T. Additionally, we found significant correlations between different f orce parameters and the accumulation of estradiol. It was concluded th at the MCTT seems to be more efficient compared to RT.