Musculoskeletal Morphology and Joint Flexibility-Associated Functional Characteristics across Three Time Points during the Menstrual Cycle in Female Contemporary Dancers
Findings are inconsistent with regards to whether menstrual cycle phase-associated changes in physical functioning exist. It is possible that such discrepancies are due to varying rigour in experimental approaches. The current study aimed to systematically evaluate any effect of carefully tracked me...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2024-02-01
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| Series: | Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5142/9/1/38 |
| _version_ | 1797240472594284544 |
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| author | Bárbara Pessali-Marques Adrian M. Burden Christopher I. Morse Gladys L. Onambélé-Pearson |
| author_facet | Bárbara Pessali-Marques Adrian M. Burden Christopher I. Morse Gladys L. Onambélé-Pearson |
| author_sort | Bárbara Pessali-Marques |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Findings are inconsistent with regards to whether menstrual cycle phase-associated changes in physical functioning exist. It is possible that such discrepancies are due to varying rigour in experimental approaches. The current study aimed to systematically evaluate any effect of carefully tracked menstrual cycle phase on precisely measured muscle structure and function in a physically active group (contemporary dancers). Eleven women aged (M [SD]) 23.5 [2.94] years, undergoing 10.5 [1.73] hours of contemporary dance practice and 6.12 [2.36] hours of other physical activity per week, were recruited. Sex hormone level (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), skin temperature and ovulation kits), physical pain assessments (Ice Water Test, Visual Analogue Scale, The Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire, Self-Estimated Functional Inability Because of Pain Questionnaire, and Pain Anxiety Symptoms Scale), muscle architecture measurement (B-mode ultrasonography), and physical functioning (dynamometry, force-platform and electromyography) on both lower limbs were measured at three time points during one cycle, following three months of menstrual cycle monitoring. There was no difference in musculoskeletal flexibility variables between follicular, ovulatory, or luteal phases. Nonetheless, oestrogen change was associated with variability in 11 musculoskeletal variables, progesterone change was associated with variability in 7, and relaxin change was associated with variability in 15. Negative correlations existed between progesterone and flexibility and between oestrogen and jump variables. Moreover, oestrogen and relaxin were associated with increased musculoskeletal compliance, whilst progesterone was associated with increased muscle stiffness. In short, in absolute sex hormone levels, ‘inter-individual’ variances appear more impactful than ‘intra-individual’ variances. Not only are oestrogen and progesterone associated with differing musculoskeletal outcomes, but relaxin is also associated with musculoskeletal compliance changes. These effects are anticipated to impact jump height and flexibility, and hence, they could be expected to affect overall physical performance, including dance. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T18:07:59Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5343d0f4f48248adbf4085f7da9bd898 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2411-5142 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T18:07:59Z |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology |
| spelling | doaj.art-5343d0f4f48248adbf4085f7da9bd8982024-03-27T13:48:47ZengMDPI AGJournal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology2411-51422024-02-01913810.3390/jfmk9010038Musculoskeletal Morphology and Joint Flexibility-Associated Functional Characteristics across Three Time Points during the Menstrual Cycle in Female Contemporary DancersBárbara Pessali-Marques0Adrian M. Burden1Christopher I. Morse2Gladys L. Onambélé-Pearson3Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Institute of Sport, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester M1 7EL, UKDepartment of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Institute of Sport, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester M1 7EL, UKDepartment of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Institute of Sport, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester M1 7EL, UKDepartment of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Institute of Sport, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester M1 7EL, UKFindings are inconsistent with regards to whether menstrual cycle phase-associated changes in physical functioning exist. It is possible that such discrepancies are due to varying rigour in experimental approaches. The current study aimed to systematically evaluate any effect of carefully tracked menstrual cycle phase on precisely measured muscle structure and function in a physically active group (contemporary dancers). Eleven women aged (M [SD]) 23.5 [2.94] years, undergoing 10.5 [1.73] hours of contemporary dance practice and 6.12 [2.36] hours of other physical activity per week, were recruited. Sex hormone level (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), skin temperature and ovulation kits), physical pain assessments (Ice Water Test, Visual Analogue Scale, The Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire, Self-Estimated Functional Inability Because of Pain Questionnaire, and Pain Anxiety Symptoms Scale), muscle architecture measurement (B-mode ultrasonography), and physical functioning (dynamometry, force-platform and electromyography) on both lower limbs were measured at three time points during one cycle, following three months of menstrual cycle monitoring. There was no difference in musculoskeletal flexibility variables between follicular, ovulatory, or luteal phases. Nonetheless, oestrogen change was associated with variability in 11 musculoskeletal variables, progesterone change was associated with variability in 7, and relaxin change was associated with variability in 15. Negative correlations existed between progesterone and flexibility and between oestrogen and jump variables. Moreover, oestrogen and relaxin were associated with increased musculoskeletal compliance, whilst progesterone was associated with increased muscle stiffness. In short, in absolute sex hormone levels, ‘inter-individual’ variances appear more impactful than ‘intra-individual’ variances. Not only are oestrogen and progesterone associated with differing musculoskeletal outcomes, but relaxin is also associated with musculoskeletal compliance changes. These effects are anticipated to impact jump height and flexibility, and hence, they could be expected to affect overall physical performance, including dance.https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5142/9/1/38dancerflexibilityjumpsmenstrual cycleskeletal muscleoestrogen |
| spellingShingle | Bárbara Pessali-Marques Adrian M. Burden Christopher I. Morse Gladys L. Onambélé-Pearson Musculoskeletal Morphology and Joint Flexibility-Associated Functional Characteristics across Three Time Points during the Menstrual Cycle in Female Contemporary Dancers Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology dancer flexibility jumps menstrual cycle skeletal muscle oestrogen |
| title | Musculoskeletal Morphology and Joint Flexibility-Associated Functional Characteristics across Three Time Points during the Menstrual Cycle in Female Contemporary Dancers |
| title_full | Musculoskeletal Morphology and Joint Flexibility-Associated Functional Characteristics across Three Time Points during the Menstrual Cycle in Female Contemporary Dancers |
| title_fullStr | Musculoskeletal Morphology and Joint Flexibility-Associated Functional Characteristics across Three Time Points during the Menstrual Cycle in Female Contemporary Dancers |
| title_full_unstemmed | Musculoskeletal Morphology and Joint Flexibility-Associated Functional Characteristics across Three Time Points during the Menstrual Cycle in Female Contemporary Dancers |
| title_short | Musculoskeletal Morphology and Joint Flexibility-Associated Functional Characteristics across Three Time Points during the Menstrual Cycle in Female Contemporary Dancers |
| title_sort | musculoskeletal morphology and joint flexibility associated functional characteristics across three time points during the menstrual cycle in female contemporary dancers |
| topic | dancer flexibility jumps menstrual cycle skeletal muscle oestrogen |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5142/9/1/38 |
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