Ozone and carbon monoxide at the Ushuaia GAW-WMO global station

Five years (2010–2014) of hourly surface measurements of ozone (O3) and carbon monoxide (CO) at the GAW-WMO station in Ushuaia (Argentina) were analysed and characterised. A meteorological study of the region was carried out using in situ observations and meteorological fields from the ECMWF (European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecast) global meteorological model. Atmospheric transport was investigated with the air mass trajectories computed with HYSPLIT (Hybrid Single Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory) model using ERA-Interim meteorological fields. Airflows primarily arise from the W-SW (South Pacific Ocean) which are associated with an almost permanent low pressure system. Collected winds from the South (Antarctic Peninsula and Weddell Sea), polar easterlies, occur less frequently. The hourly averages of O3 and CO were 20 ± 7 ppb and 71 ± 45 ppb, respectively, typical values in remote environments.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO) under grant CGL2011-24891 (HELADO project)

Bone mineral density in well-trained females with different hormonal profiles

Objective: The association between sex hormones and bone mineral density (BMD) has been studied in sedentary women, whereas only few studies have evaluated trained females. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the influence of sex hormones on BMD in well-trained females with different hormonal profiles: eumenorrheic females, oral contraceptive (OC) users and postmenopausal women. The secondary purpose was to determine if maximal oxygen consumption (V̇O2max) or maximal back squat strength (1RM) could be good predictors of BMD in this population.Methods: Sixty-eight eumenorrheic, forty-one monophasic-OC users and sixteen postmenopausal well-trained females participated in this study. A Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry scan (DXA), a basal blood sample and a maximal back squat and/or a maximal treadmill test were performed. In order to measure all volunteers under similar hormonal conditions (low sex hormone levels), all tests were carried out during the early follicular phase for the eumenorrheic females and in the withdrawal phase for the OC group.Results: One way ANCOVA reported lower values of BMD in postmenopausal (1.13±0.07g/cm2) than in eumenorrheic (1.19±0.08 g/cm2) (p=0.003) and OC users (1.17±0.07 g/cm2) (p=0.030). Pearson ́s correlation showed a positive relationship between BMD and 1RM (p<0.001), but not with V̇O2max.Conclusions: Lower BMD has been reported in postmenopausal women compared to both, eumenorrheic females and OC users. BMD loss after menopause seems to be not fully compensated by exercise, but this could effectively mitigate it. Moreover, 1RM back squat reported a slight association to BMD. Hence, strength training may be the best choice to prevent BMD loss. Objetivo: La asociación entre hormonas sexuales y densidad mineral ósea (DMO) ha sido bastante estudiada en mujeres sedentarias, pero no en mujeres entrenadas. Por tanto, el objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la influencia de las hormonas sexuales en la DMO de deportistas con diferentes perfiles hormonales: mujeres eumenorreicas, usuarias de la píldora anti-conceptiva y mujeres postmenopáusicas. El segundo objetivo fue analizar si el consumo máximo de oxígeno (V̇O2max) o la sentadilla trasera (1RM) serían buenos predictores de DMO en dicha población.Metodología: Sesenta y seis mujeres eumenorreicas, cuarenta y una usuaria de píldora monofásica y dieciséis mujeres postmenopáusicas bien entrenadas participaron en el estudio. Una densitometría ósea (DXA), una analítica basal y una prue-ba de esfuerzo y/o de 1RM en sentadilla trasera fueron llevados a cabo. Con el objetivo de que todas las voluntarias fueran medidas bajo las mismas condiciones (bajos niveles de hormonas sexuales), todas las pruebas fueron realizadas en la fase folicular temprana para las mujeres eumenorreicas y en la fase no hormonal para las usuarias de píldora.Resultados: ANCOVA de una vía mostró valores de DMO más bajos en mujeres postmenopáusicas (1,13±0,07g/cm2) compa-rado con las eumenorreicas (1,19±0,08 g/cm2) (p=0,003) y las usuarias de píldora (1,17±0,07 g/cm2) (p=0,030). La correlación de Pearson mostró una relación positiva entre DMO y sentadilla (p<0,001), pero no mostró asociación con elV̇O2max.Conclusión: Las mujeres postmenopáusicas presentan valores de DMO más bajo que las mujeres eumenorreicas y las usuarias de píldora. El descenso de DMO tras la menopausia parece no ser completamente compensado por la práctica de actividad física, aunque ésta puede atenuar ese descenso. Además, la sentadilla mostró una ligera asociación positiva con la DMO, por lo que el entrenamiento de fuerza podría ser la mejor opción para prevenir el descenso de DMO

Bone mineral density in well-trained females

Although the association between sex hormones and bone mineral density in healthy sedentary women has been widely studied (1,2), only a few studies have evaluated this relationship in trained females (3). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the influence of sex hormones on BMD in physically active females: eumenorrheic females, oral contraceptive (OC) users and postmenopausal women. The secondary aim was to determine if maximal oxygen consumption (V ̇O2max) or maximal back squat strength (1RM) could be good predictors of BMD in this population

Respiratory and perceived exertion variables during an intervallic endurance protocol through menstrual cycle phases

Respiratory variables, rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and perceived readiness (PR) can vary depending on the menstrual cycle phase due to the different sexual hormone environments found through it [1, 2]. Few studies compare more than 2 menstrual cycle phases and even fewer use intense intervallic endurance protocols [1, 2]. Additionally, oestrogen seems to have powerful effects in some exercise variables, although it may reduce muscle endurance capacity [3]. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to compare respiratory variables, RPE and PR measured in 3 phases of the menstrual cycle during an intervallic endurance protocol

Bone mineral density in well-trained females

Although the association between sex hormones and bone mineral density in healthy sedentary women has been widely studied (1,2), only a few studies have evaluated this relationship in trained females (3). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the influence of sex hormones on BMD in physically active females: eumenorrheic females, oral contraceptive (OC) users and postmenopausal women. The secondary aim was to determine if maximal oxygen consumption (V ̇O2max) or maximal back squat strength (1RM) could be good predictors of BMD in this population

Cardiorespiratory response to exercise in endurance-trained premenopausal and postmenopausal females

Purpose: To assess the influence of different hormonal profiles on the cardiorespiratory response to exercise in endurance-trained females. Methods: Forty-seven eumenorrheic females, 38 low-dose monophasic oral contraceptive (OC) users and 13 postmenopausal women, all of them endurance-trained, participated in this study. A DXA scan, blood sample tests and a maximal aerobic test were performed under similar low-sex hormone levels: early follicular phase for the eumenorrheic females; withdrawal phase for the OC group and at any time for postmenopausal women. Cardiorespiratory variables were measured at resting and throughout the maximal aerobic test (ventilatory threshold 1, 2 and peak values). Heart rate (HR) was continuously monitored with a 12-lead ECG. Blood pressure (BP) was measured with an auscultatory method and a calibrated mercury sphygmomanometer. Expired gases were measured breath-by-breath with the gas analyser Jaeger Oxycon Pro. Results: One-way ANCOVA reported a lower peak HR in postmenopausal women (172.4 ± 11.7 bpm) than in eumenorrheic females (180.9 ± 10.6 bpm) (p = 0.024). In addition, postmenopausal women exhibited lower VO2 (39.1 ± 4.9 ml/kg/min) compared to eumenorrheic females (45.1 ± 4.4 ml/kg/min) in ventilatory threshold 2 (p = 0.009). Nonetheless, respiratory variables did not show differences between groups at peak values. Finally, no differences between OC users and eumenorrheic females' cardiorespiratory response were observed in endurance-trained females. Conclusions: Cardiorespiratory system is impaired in postmenopausal women due to physiological changes caused by age and sex hormones' decrement. Although these alterations appear not to be fully compensated by exercise, endurance training could effectively mitigate them. In addition, monophasic OC pills appear not to impact cardiorespiratory response to an incremental running test in endurance-trained females

Indirect markers of muscle damage throughout the menstrual cycle

Context: The indirect markers of muscle damage have been previously studied in females. However, inconclusive results have been found, possibly explained by the heterogeneity regarding monitoring and verification of menstrual-cycle phase. Purpose: To determine whether the fluctuations in sex hormones during the menstrual cycle influence muscle damage. Methods: A total of 19 well-trained eumenorrheic women (age 28.6 [5.9] y; height 163.4 [6.1] cm; weight 59.6 [5.8] kg body mass) performed an eccentric-based resistance protocol consisting of 10 × 10 back squats at 60% of their 1-repetition maximum on the early follicular phase (EFP), late follicular phase, and midluteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Range of motion, muscle soreness, countermovement jump, and limb circumferences were evaluated prior to 24 and 48 hours postexercise. Perceived exertion was evaluated after each set. Results: Differences in sex hormones indicated that tests were adequately performed in the different menstrual-cycle phases. Prior to exercise, muscle soreness was higher in the EFP (4.7 [7.7]) than in the late follicular phase (1.1 [3.2]; P = .045). No other variables showed significant differences between phases. Time-point differences (baseline, 24, and 48 h) were observed in knee range of motion (P = .02), muscle soreness, countermovement jump, and between sets for perceived exertion (P < .001). Conclusion: Although the protocol elicited muscle damage, hormonal fluctuations over the menstrual cycle did not seem to affect indirect markers of muscle damage, except for perceived muscle soreness. Muscle soreness was perceived to be more severe before exercise performed in EFP, when estrogen concentrations are relatively low. This may impair women's predisposition to perform strenuous exercise during EFP

Influence of the Menstrual Cycle on Blood Markers of Muscle Damage and Inflammation Following Eccentric Exercise

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the menstrual cycle and its underlying hormonal fluctuations affect muscle damage and inflammation in well-trained females following an eccentric exercise. Nineteen eumenorrheic women performed an eccentric squat-based exercise in the early follicular phase, late follicular phase and mid-luteal phase of their menstrual cycle. Sex hormones and blood markers of muscle damage and inflammation –creatine kinase, myoglobin, lactate dehydrogenase, interleukin-6, tumoral necrosis factor-α, and C reactive protein– were analyzed in each phase. No effect of menstrual cycle phase was observed (p > 0.05), while an interaction for interleukin-6 was shown (p = 0.047). Accordingly, a moderate effect size [0.68 (0.53)–0.84 (0.74)], indicated that interleukin-6 values 2 h post-trial (2.07 ± 1.26 pg/mL) were likely to be higher than baseline (1.59 ± 0.33 pg/mL), 24 h (1.50 ± 0.01 pg/mL) and 48 h (1.54 ± 0.13 pg/mL) in the mid-luteal phase. Blood markers of muscle damage and inflammation were not affected by the menstrual cycle in well-trained women. The eccentric exercise barely triggered muscle damage and hence, no inflammation was observed, possibly due to participants training status. The mid-luteal phase was the only phase reflecting a possible inflammatory response in terms of interleukin-6, although further factors than sex hormones seem to be responsible for this finding

Menstrual Cycle Phases Influence on Cardiorespiratory Response to Exercise in Endurance-Trained Females

The aim of this study was to analyse the impact of sex hormone fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle on cardiorespiratory response to high-intensity interval exercise in athletes. Twenty-one eumenorrheic endurance-trained females performed an interval running protocol in three menstrual cycle phases: early-follicular phase (EFP), late-follicular phase (LFP) and mid-luteal phase (MLP). It consisted of 8 × 3-min bouts at 85% of their maximal aerobic speed with 90-s recovery at 30% of their maximal aerobic speed. To verify menstrual cycle phase, we applied a three-step method: calendar-based counting, urinary luteinizing hormone measurement and serum hormone analysis. Mixed-linear model for repeated measures showed menstrual cycle impact on ventilatory (EFP: 78.61 ± 11.09; LFP: 76.45 ± 11.37; MLP: 78.59 ± 13.43) and heart rate (EFP: 167.29 ± 11.44; LFP: 169.89 ± 10.62; MLP: 169.89 ± 11.35) response to high-intensity interval exercise (F2.59 = 4.300; p = 0.018 and F2.61 = 4.648; p = 0.013, respectively). Oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, respiratory exchange ratio, breathing frequency, energy expenditure, relative perceived exertion and perceived readiness were unaltered by menstrual cycle phase. Most of the cardiorespiratory variables measured appear to be impassive by menstrual cycle phases throughout a high-intensity interval exercise in endurance-trained athletes. It seems that sex hormone fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle are not high enough to disrupt tissues' adjustments caused by the high-intensity exercise. Nevertheless, HR based training programs should consider menstrual cycle phase

Methodological Approach of the Iron and Muscular Damage: Female Metabolism and Menstrual Cycle during Exercise Project (IronFEMME Study)

Background: The increase in exercise levels in the last few years among professional and recreational female athletes has led to an increased scientific interest about sports health and performance in the female athlete population. The purpose of the IronFEMME Study described in this protocol article is to determine the influence of different hormonal profiles on iron metabolism in response to endurance exercise, and the main markers of muscle damage in response to resistance exercise; both in eumenorrheic, oral contraceptive (OC) users and postmenopausal well-trained women. Methods: This project is an observational controlled randomized counterbalanced study. One hundered and four (104) active and healthy women were selected to participate in the IronFEMME Study, 57 of which were eumenorrheic, 31 OC users and 16 postmenopausal. The project consisted of two sections carried out at the same time: iron metabolism (study I) and muscle damage (study II). For the study I, the exercise protocol consisted of an interval running test (eight bouts of 3 min at 85% of the maximal aerobic speed), whereas the study II protocol was an eccentric-based resistance exercise protocol (10 sets of 10 repetitions of plate-loaded barbell parallel back squats at 60% of their one repetition maximum (1RM) with 2 min of recovery between sets). In both studies, eumenorrheic participants were evaluated at three specific moments of the menstrual cycle: early-follicular phase, late-follicular phase and mid-luteal phase; OC users performed the trial at two moments: withdrawal phase and active pill phase. Lastly, postmenopausal women were only tested once, since their hormonal status does not fluctuate. The three-step method was used to verify the menstrual cycle phase: calendar counting, blood test confirmation, and urine-based ovulation kits. Blood samples were obtained to measure sex hormones, iron metabolism parameters, and muscle damage related markers. Discussion: IronFEMME Study has been designed to increase the knowledge regarding the influence of sex hormones on some aspects of the exercise-related female physiology. Iron metabolism and exercise-induced muscle damage will be studied considering the different reproductive status present throughout well-trained females' lifespan