Avaliação do desempenho das funções executivas em repouso e durante exercício físico de alta intensidade em diferentes fases do ciclo menstrual

Abstract

Executive functions (EFs) are essential cognitive processes for regulating actions and behaviors. During high-intensity exercise, neurobiological changes may affect cognitive performance, with this impact potentially influenced by interoceptive and hormonal factors. Consequently, women have been underrepresented in research based on the assumption that hormonal fluctuations across the menstrual cycle could influence results. This study aimed to analyze the effect of different menstrual cycle phases on EF performance at rest and during high-intensity exercise. Fifteen eumenorrheic women (23 ± 4 years) participated in the study. Protocols were conducted in the follicular and luteal phases in a counterbalanced order. A two-cycle period was recorded and controlled through ovulation tests. During the first visit of each phase, anthropometric measurements were taken, questionnaires were administered, familiarization with the EF test was conducted, and a maximal incremental exercise test (MIET) was performed on a cycle ergometer. In the second visit of each phase, participants completed the EF task at rest, followed by a high-intensity exercise protocol with three progressive stages: below the lactate threshold (LT), at LT, and above LT, with the final stage performed concurrently with the EF task. There were no significant differences between the phases was found for subjective recovery perception (V = 14.5; p = 1.000; r = -0.667), maximal lactate (V = 43.0; p = 0.572; r = -0.249), and maximal power (V = 50.0; p = 0.900; r = -0.147) during the IME. Perceived exertion progressively increased between the stages of high-intensity physical exercise (F = 178.139; p < 0.001; ηp² = 0.898), with no effect of the menstrual phase (F = 0.213; p = 0.644; ηp² = 0.034). Heart rate was higher in the luteal phase compared to the follicular phase (t = 2.64; p < 0.001) during high-intensity physical exercise. In the cognitive test, accuracy was lower during physical exercise compared to rest (F = 7.701; p = 0.005; 𝜂²ₚ = 0.193), with no difference between phases (F = 0.803; p = 0.370; 𝜂²ₚ = 0.042). Response time and total task time were shorter during physical exercise (F = 7.271; p = 0.007; 𝜂²ₚ = 0.396 and F = 11.231; p < 0.001; 𝜂²ₚ = 0.381), but with no effect of the phase (F = 1.167; p = 0.280; 𝜂²ₚ < 0.001 and F = 0.554; p = 0.456; 𝜂²ₚ < 0.001). It is concluded that the EF performance of eumenorrheic women at rest and during high-intensity physical exercise was not altered across the different phases of the menstrual cycle.