Sports Research Review No. 142

Author:Ta-Cheng Hung
Period/Date/Page:No. 142 (2017 / 09 / 30) , P45 - 53
DOI:10.6162/SRR.2017.142.05
Effect of Resistance Training in Women: The Role of Menstrual Hormones
Abstract:Resistance training has become a popular method of exercise for women who desire to increase the body's energy expenditure, reduce body fat and sculpt body shape. However, since the ovaries secrete estrogen and progesterone to help create a reproductive environment during monthly menstruation, it is important to determine how resistance training interacts with cyclical hormonal changes to affect the female body. The purpose of this paper is to explore the effects of female hormones on the body composition, blood cells and heart rate variability during resistance training. It is further expected that women participating in resistance training will be more comfortable during menstruation. After a review of relevant literature, this paper concludes that: (1) The increased resistance to bone density loss is related to age; women who begin resistance training at a younger age have a better outcomes in promoting bone density. (2) Estrogen increases parasympathetic nerve activity resistance to fatigue training; the fat burning effect increased. (3) Progesterone increases muscle metabolism during resistance training and reduces platelet aggregation to help relieve blood vessel resistance and thus reduce the risks of the increased blood pressure. For these reasons, this paper concludes that a beneficial interaction between menstrual hormones and resistance training can be identified for young women. (Full text)


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