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Healthy WomenNCT06985420

The Effect of the Menstrual Cycle on Immune Cell Activity and Recovery After Resistance Exercise

An observational study of Healthy Women and Menstruation, run by University of Central Florida at 1 site in United States.

Recruiting

Looking for participants now. Contact the study team or a site below to ask about taking part.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

The goal of this observational study is to learn how the menstrual cycle affects immune cell activation, recruitment, and recovery responses after resistance exercise in healthy, resistance-trained women aged 18-40. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 40 years, women only
Conditions the study is for
Healthy Women, Menstruation, Resistance Exercise
What is being tested?
Resistance exercise and Menstrual Cycle Phases
How many people
40 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
16 Aug 2024to May 2025
Phase
Observational
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 40 years
  • Women only
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult

Study population: Participants will be recruited from the local community and university setting, specifically from the University of Central Florida and surrounding areas. The population will consist of healthy, resistance-trained women aged 18 to 40 who are physically active and meet the criteria for regular menstrual cycles. Participants will likely be university students, staff, or individuals involved in local fitness and sports communities, with a focus on those who are familiar with structured resistance training. Recruitment will aim to reflect a diverse range of backgrounds while ensuring participants meet the health and exercise requirements of the study.

Who may be able to join

  • Women between the ages of 18 and 40.
  • Must weigh at least 110 pounds.
  • Healthy as determined by medical history, physical activity readiness, and menstrual cycle questionnaires.
  • Actively resistance training for at least 6 months (minimum of 3 resistance training sessions per week, with at least one lower body session).
  • Pre-menopausal and have a regular menstrual cycle (eumenorrheic), with a clear start of menses (early follicular phase).
  • Not currently pregnant or planning to become pregnant during the study.
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  • Have not used hormonal birth control or intrauterine devices in the past 3 months (or three full menstrual cycles).
  • Able to recall approximate start dates of their last 6 menstrual cycles.
  • Willing to follow study instructions, including avoiding exercise, alcohol, and caffeine before testing visits.
  • Free from previous or current lower body injuries that could limit performance.
  • Not regularly taking any medications that could interfere with the study.
  • Determined to have a high likelihood of successful blood draws by a certified phlebotomist.

Who cannot join

  • Do not give consent to participate.
  • Have been determined unfit to participate based on medical or activity history (using health questionnaires).
  • Currently take prescription or over-the-counter medication that could affect the study results.
  • Have a chronic illness requiring medical care.
  • Not currently resistance-trained (don't meet the exercise requirement).
  • Pregnant or planning to become pregnant during the study.
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  • Do not have regular periods or have been diagnosed as amenorrhoeic (absence of menstruation).
  • Currently taking any performance-enhancing drugs.
  • Currently using hormonal birth control or intrauterine devices (IUDs), or have used them in the past three months (or three full menstrual cycles).
  • Determined unlikely to have a successful blood draw by a trained phlebotomist.
  • Weigh less than 110 pounds.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Jessica M Moon contact

407-823-0623

jessica.moon@ucf.edu

United States1 site, 1 recruiting
  • University of Central Florida

    Orlando, Florida, 32816

    Jessica M Moon, 407-823-0623, jessica.moon@ucf.edu

    Jessica M Moon

    Recruiting

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: The Impact of the Menstrual Cycle on Innate Immune Cell Activation, Recruitment, and Adhesion Dynamics During Recovery From Damaging Resistance Exercise: Role of Neutrophils and Systemic Chemokines.

The goal of this observational study is to learn how the menstrual cycle affects immune cell activation, recruitment, and recovery responses after resistance exercise in healthy, resistance-trained women aged 18-40. The main questions it aims to answer are:

Does the menstrual cycle influence neutrophil recruitment and adhesion after resistance exercise? Does the menstrual cycle affect markers of muscle damage and functional recovery? Researchers will compare three menstrual phases (early follicular, late follicular, and mid-luteal) to see if immune responses and recovery outcomes differ across these phases.

Read more

Participants will:

Complete resistance exercise protocols across three different menstrual cycle phases.

Provide blood samples to assess immune cell activation and muscle damage markers.

Track sleep, mood, and recovery with questionnaires and wear an accelerometer.

Being tested
Resistance exercise, Menstrual Cycle Phases

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Resistance exerciseOther

    Resistance Exercise Protocols: Participants will perform exercises, including belt squats, hex bar deadlifts, and plyometric drop jumps. The load and intensity will be standardized based on each participant's 1-repetition maximum (1RM) to ensure uniformity across trials.

  • Menstrual Cycle PhasesOther

    Menstrual Cycle Phases: The key exposure variable is the phase of the menstrual cycle, with participants being assessed during the early follicular, late follicular, and mid-luteal phases.

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Neutrophil Recruitment and Adhesion Dynamics

    Measure: Neutrophil cell index (impedance reflecting neutrophil migration) using Real-Time Cell Analysis (RTCA). Objective: To assess the differences in neutrophil recruitment and adhesion across menstrual cycle phases (early follicular, late follicular, and mid-luteal).

    Time Frame: Assessed at 2 time points (baseline and 4 hours post exercise) on 3 experimental trial days (1 per menstrual cycle; up to 4 cycles per participant, over approximately 16 weeks).

    Measured: From enrollment, through study completion, an average of 4 months.

  2. Systemic Concentrations of CXCL8

    Measure: Plasma levels of CXCL8 (interleukin-8). Objective: To evaluate if menstrual cycle phases influence systemic chemokine levels in response to exercise.

    Time Frame: Collected at 2 time points (baseline and 4 hours post exercise) on 3 experimental trial days (1 per menstrual cycle; up to 4 cycles per participant, over approximately 16 weeks).

    Measured: From enrollment, through study completion, an average of 4 months.

  3. Muscle Function and Recovery- Active Range of Motion

    Measure: Changes in active range of motion (AROM). Objective: To examine the impact of the menstrual cycle on functional recovery following resistance exercise.

    Time Frame: Assessed at 5 time points (baseline, immediately post-exercise, 4 hours post, 24 hours post, and 48 hours post) on 3 experimental trial days (1 per menstrual cycle; up to 4 cycles per participant, over approximately 16 weeks).

    Measured: From enrollment, through study completion, an average of 4 months.

  4. Muscle Function and Recovery- Pain Pressure Threshold

    Measure: Changes in pain pressure threshold (PPT). Objective: To examine the impact of the menstrual cycle on functional recovery following resistance exercise.

    Time Frame: Assessed at 5 time points (baseline, immediately post-exercise, 4 hours post, 24 hours post, and 48 hours post) on 3 experimental trial days (1 per menstrual cycle; up to 4 cycles per participant, over approximately 16 weeks).

    Measured: From enrollment, through study completion, an average of 4 months.

  5. Muscle Function and Recovery - Countermovement Jump

    Measure: Changes in countermovement jump (CMJ) height. Objective: To examine the impact of the menstrual cycle on functional recovery following resistance exercise.

    Time Frame: Assessed at 5 time points (baseline, immediately post-exercise, 4 hours post, 24 hours post, and 48 hours post) on 3 experimental trial days (1 per menstrual cycle; up to 4 cycles per participant, over approximately 16 weeks).

    Measured: From enrollment, through study completion, an average of 4 months.

  6. Muscle Function and Recovery - Maximal Voluntary Isometric Contraction

    Measure: Changes in maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC). Objective: To examine the impact of the menstrual cycle on functional recovery following resistance exercise.

    Time Frame: Assessed at 5 time points (baseline, immediately post-exercise, 4 hours post, 24 hours post, and 48 hours post) on 3 experimental trial days (1 per menstrual cycle; up to 4 cycles per participant, over approximately 16 weeks).

    Measured: From enrollment, through study completion, an average of 4 months.

Secondary outcomes (12)
  1. Systemic Concentrations of Myoglobin

    Measure: Plasma levels of myoglobin (MYB). Objective: To determine how menstrual cycle phases affect muscle damage/inflammation markers after resistance exercise.

    Time Frame: Collected at 5 time points (baseline, immediately post-exercise, 4 hours post, 24 hours post, and 48 hours post) on 3 experimental trial days per participant (approximately 16 weeks total).

    Measured: From enrollment, through study completion, an average of 4 months.

  2. Systemic Concentrations of Creatine kinase

    Measure: Plasma levels of creatine kinase (CK). Objective: To determine how menstrual cycle phases affect muscle damage/inflammation markers after resistance exercise.

    Time Frame: Collected at 5 time points (baseline, immediately post-exercise, 4 hours post, 24 hours post, and 48 hours post) on 3 experimental trial days per participant (approximately 16 weeks total).

    Measured: From enrollment, through study completion, an average of 4 months.

  3. Systemic Concentrations of C-Reactive Protein

    Measure: Plasma levels of C-reactive protein (CRP). Objective: To determine how menstrual cycle phases affect muscle damage/inflammation markers after resistance exercise.

    Time Frame: Collected at 5 time points (baseline, immediately post-exercise, 4 hours post, 24 hours post, and 48 hours post) on 3 experimental trial days per participant (approximately 16 weeks total).

    Measured: From enrollment, through study completion, an average of 4 months.

  4. Subjective Measures of Perceived Recovery

    Measure: Perceived Recovery Status Scale score. Objective: To assess perceived recovery and performance across menstrual cycle phases.

    Time Frame: Assessed at 5 time points (baseline, immediately post, 4 hours, 24 hours, and 48 hours post-exercise) on up to 3 experimental trial days (approximately 16 weeks total).

    Measured: From enrollment, through study completion, an average of 4 months.

  5. Subjective Measures of Perceived Recovery

    Measure: Visual Analog Scale (VAS) ratings for recovery. Objective: To assess perceived recovery across menstrual cycle phases.

    Time Frame: Assessed at 5 time points (baseline, immediately post-exercise, 4 hours post, 24 hours post, and 48 hours post) on up to 4 experimental trial days per participant (approximately 16 weeks total).

    Measured: From enrollment, through study completion, an average of 4 months.

  6. Subjective Measures of Fatigue

    Measure: Visual Analog Scale (VAS) ratings for fatigue. Objective: To assess perceived fatigue across menstrual cycle phases.

    Time Frame: Assessed at 5 time points (baseline, immediately post-exercise, 4 hours post, 24 hours post, and 48 hours post) on 3 experimental trial days per participant (approximately 16 weeks total).

    Measured: From enrollment, through study completion, an average of 4 months.

  7. Subjective Measures of Soreness

    Measure: Visual Analog Scale (VAS) ratings for soreness. Objective: To assess perceived soreness across menstrual cycle phases.

    Time Frame: Assessed at 5 time points (baseline, immediately post-exercise, 4 hours post, 24 hours post, and 48 hours post) on 3 experimental trial days per participant (approximately 16 weeks total).

    Measured: From enrollment, through study completion, an average of 4 months.

  8. Subjective Sleep Quality

    Measure: Groningen Sleep Quality Questionnaire (GSQQ). Objective: To investigate whether menstrual cycle phases impact subjective sleep quality.

    Time Frame: Assessed at 3 time points (baseline, 24 hours post, and 48 hours post) on 3 experimental trial days per participant (approximately 16 weeks total)

    Measured: Time Frame: From enrollment, through study completion, an average of 4 months.

  9. Subjective Sleep Quality

    Measure: Self-Assessment of Sleep Survey (SASS-Y). Objective: To investigate whether menstrual cycle phases impact subjective sleep quality.

    Time Frame: Assessed at 1 time point (baseline) on 3 experimental trial days per participant (approximately 16 weeks total)

    Measured: From enrollment, through study completion, an average of 4 months.

  10. Objective Sleep Quality

    Measure: Actigraph Accelerometer data. Objective: To investigate whether menstrual cycle phases impact objective sleep quality.

    Time Frame: Continuously monitored from 72 hours before to 48 hours after exercise on each of 3 experimental trial days (approximately 16 weeks total).

    Measured: From enrollment, through study completion, an average of 4 months.

  11. Mood

    Measure: Profile of Mood States (POMS). Objective: To examine the influence of the menstrual cycle on mood during recovery from exercise.

    Time Frame: Assessed at 5 time points (baseline, immediately post-exercise, 4 hours post, 24 hours post, and 48 hours post) on 3 experimental trial days per participant (approximately 16 weeks total).

    Measured: From enrollment, through study completion, an average of 4 months.

  12. Menstrual Distress

    Description: Measure: Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MEDI-Q). Objective: To examine the influence of the menstrual cycle on menstrual distress reporting. Time Frame: Assessed at 1 time point (baseline) on 3 experimental trial days per participant (approximately 16 weeks total)

    Measured: From enrollment, through study completion, an average of 4 months.

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted22 May 2025
  2. Study start16 Aug 2024
  3. Primary completionMay 2025 (estimated)
  4. Study completionMay 2025 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Observational
Observational model
Other
Time perspective
Other
Enrolment
40 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT06985420
Sponsor's protocol ID
STUDY00006956
Status last verified
May 2025
First submitted
16 Sep 2024
Last updated
22 May 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Undecided

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

An observational study of Healthy Women and Menstruation, run by University of Central Florida at 1 site in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 12 inclusion and 11 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 22 May 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Jessica M Moon (407-823-0623, jessica.moon@ucf.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Neutrophil Recruitment and Adhesion Dynamics (time frame: From enrollment, through study completion, an average of 4 months.). The study lists 6 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 22 May 2025.

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