Hormone and Tendon stiffness measurement in female runner athletes between 18-55 yrs.

Summary

Our study goal is to recruit two groups of runners who are active, healthy females between the ages of 18-35 and 35-55 years old. We are including individuals who are both naturally menstruating (pre-menopausal) and those that have at least 9 cycles a year but may have changes in menstrual flow and in the length of the cycle (peri-menopausal).
We are studying the tendon stiffness differences in hormone levels by age groups; and (2) whether there is an association between achilles tendon stiffness-ability to gerenerate force and hormone levels (estrogen and progesterone) regardless of age during a running treadmill protocol.

Eligibility

Currently recruiting participants: Yes

Eligible ages: 18 to 55

Accepts healthy participants: Yes

Inclusion criteria:

-You must be aged 18-55.
-Naturally menstruating, minimum of 9 periods per year
-No hormonal contraception use for at least 6 months prior to recruitment.
-Not currently pregnant or  breastfeeding
-Exercise status requires minimum of 3 days per week and 20 km running e.g., track and field middle distance and above event, cross-country running, biathlon, triathlon.

Exclusion criteria:

-No Injuries with in the last six months.
-Not taking any hormones such as oral contraceptives, or on the patch ithin the past 6 months
-No IUDs, reproductive, autoimmune, inflammatory, adrenal, or endocrine diagnosis
-Less than 9 periods per year
-Post menopause (>12 months of absence of menstruation)
-Not currently pregnant or breastfeeding

Participate

This study is not currently accepting expressions of interest via the website. Please see contact information below.

Additional information

Contact information

Contact Misa Noumi (MSc student/study coordinator) at misa.noumi@ucalgary.ca, or Dr. Patricia Doyle-Baker (Principal Investigator) at doyleba@ucalgary.ca

Principal investigator:

Patricia Katherine Doyle-Baker

Clinical trial:

No

REB-ID:

REB24-1312