Short Communication: The Use of Different Models of Female Reproductive Status in Human Performance Research; with a Specific Focus on Muscle Strength

Short Communication: The Use of Different Models of Female Reproductive Status in Human Performance Research; with a Specific Focus on Muscle Strength

There has been much debate regarding the effects of female reproductive hormones on indices of skeletal muscle strength. This work first started with tracking muscle strength across the menstrual cycle and since then this model of reproductive functioning has remained the most popular for exploring this concept. Further research has used the menopause, oral contraceptives (OC’s), in vitro fertilisation (IVF), hormone replacement therapy (HRT)and pregnancy as alternative methods of changing the concentration of female sex hormones. Models of reproductive status such as the menstrual cycle, the menopause and pregnancy provide examples of naturally occurring changes in endogenous oestradiol and progesterone concentrations, while IVF, OC’s and HRT affect ovarian hormone concentration through exogenous regulation.