title: Effect of long-term oral contraceptive use on determinants of endurance performance.
abstract: We examined the effect of long-term oral contraceptive (OC) use on endurance performance in recreationally active women. Eight women using OC (OC group) and 8 women who were nonusers (CON group) performed a test to determine the peak oxygen uptake for cycling (V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak) and to estimate the anaerobic threshold (AT). Subjects also completed a continuous submaximal cycling test across 3 work stages (two 6-minute work stages below AT, and 1 above AT performed to exhaustion). Pulmonary gas exchange, heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), blood lactate concentration ([La]), and ratings of perceived exertion were measured throughout, and cycling economy was calculated. Physical characteristics were comparable between the groups (p > 0.05). Peak oxygen uptake (CON group: 2.59 ± 0.50 L·min; OC group: 2.13 ± 0.20 L·min) and oxygen uptake at the AT (CON group: 1.47 ± 0.27 L·min; OC group: 1.18 ± 0.15 L·min) were significantly different (p < 0.05) between the groups. Expired minute ventilation, HR, BP, [La], and cycling economy for all constant-load work stages were not significantly different (p > 0.05) between the groups. Furthermore, time to exhaustion for severe-intensity cycling was similar (p > 0.05) between the CON and OC groups. The results of the present study suggest that long-term OC use negatively affects peak V[Combining Dot Above]O2 and V[Combining Dot Above]O2 at the AT but does not alter endurance exercise performance.
authors.affiliation: School of Rehabilitation Sciences 2School of Medical Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia. s.joyce@griffith.edu.au
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Joyce
authors.forename: Surendran
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sabapathy
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bulmer
authors.forename: Clare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Minahan
mesh_terms: D015308:Anaerobic Threshold; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007773:Lactates / Q000097:blood; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000187:drug effects*; D011659:Pulmonary Gas Exchange; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D007773:Lactates