The Third-Quarter Time (TQT) phenomenon is a psychological and physical state observed in isolated, confined, and extreme (ICE) environments, emerging during the third quarter of long-duration missions. Characterized by mood swings, anxiety, and interpersonal tensions, TQT remains underexplored despite consistent reports from polar research and space missions. To address this, the PAHPA ICE program, supported by ESA and IPEV, is conducting multidisciplinary research at Concordia Station using a Mixed Methods framework. By combining physiological, psychological, and qualitative data, PAHPA ICE aims to identify the factors contributing to TQT and improve adaptation strategies for extreme environments. Insights gained from Concordia are expected to enhance well-being and resilience, not only for polar missions but also for space exploration and submarine deployments.

Despite the significant number of female athletes using combined oral contraceptives (COCs), there is scant literature on their hormonal and metabolic effects across different phases. In order to contribute to a wider knowledge of COC-action mechanisms involved in athletes’ performance and health, we therefore examined the effects of low-dose monophasic COC (ethinylestradiol/levonorgestrel) intake on sex hormones (estradiol, progesterone, sex hormone binding protein (SHBG)) as well as on a large number of pituitary (LH, TSH, prolactin) and peripheral (triiodothyronine, cortisol, DHEA, DHEA-S, aldosterone, osteocalcin, 25(OH)D) basal hormone levels in nine young elite female athletes, across COC administration (first and second half of active hormone intake, washout phases), compared to eleven female athletes without hormonal contraception across their normal menstrual cycle (NMC, i.e., early follicular, end follicular/peri-ovulatory, mid-luteal phases). COC vs. NMC increased SHBG (p < 0.01), TSH, cortisol and 25(OH)D (p < 0.05), and decreased DHEA and DHEA-S (p < 0.05) concentrations. Across COC and NMC phases, higher estradiol and aldosterone concentrations (p < 0.05) were observed during the washout and mid-luteal phases, respectively. In highly trained female athletes, COC vs. NMC induced several hormonal alterations, irrespective of the phases, leading to potential ergogenic and clinical repercussions that merit clarification. In NMC athletes, the impact of endogenous sex hormone fluctuations on the parameters studied appeared limited, perhaps mitigated by intense physical training, with only aldosterone change. Given the high prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency, it seems warranted to monitor this parameter, not yet routinely considered in female athletes, taking into account COC intake. Trial registration : ID-RCB:2020-A02965-34, France

Sex hormone fluctuations across the normal menstrual cycle (NMC) may affect women's performance and health, but literature is sparse on the estradiol (E2) impact on anabolic and catabolic hormones and well-being in female athletes. We therefore measured in 21 NMC anaerobically trained female athletes: 12 highly (HT) and nine recreationally (RT) during late luteal/early follicular (Low E2) and late follicular/peri-ovulatory (High E2) phases: DHEAS, DHEA, androstenedione (A4), testosterone (T), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), cortisol, free androgen index (FAI = T/SHBG), and their relative ratios. Body composition and well-being, assessed by positive and negative affects (PANAS), were determined in parallel. In High versus Low E2, subjects showed a significant percentage increase in T, A4 (p < 0.001) and FAI (p < 0.05), with high A4/T correlation (r = 0.78), without any change in the other parameters. While no group difference was detected in hormone concentrations, HT versus RT subjects presented higher muscle mass and positive affects and lower FAI (p < 0.05). In conclusion, T and A4 were modulated across NMC, probably resulting from a variable ovarian contribution, but without inducing any change in the anabolic/catabolic balance, regardless of the physical training level. However, high anaerobic training may enhance T sensitivity in view of the FAI, body composition and well-being outcomes.

Haematological and inflammatory biomarkers play an important role in athlete performance and health, with some of them used in the fight against doping. However, little is known about how they are modulated by sex hormone fluctuations in highly trained female athletes. We therefore measured the haematological parameters monitored in the athlete biological passport (ABP) as well as erythropoietin, serum markers of iron and inflammatory statuses (iron, ferritin, transferrin, transferrin saturation, albumin, creatinine, total protein, interleukin-6 and TNF-alpha) in 20 highly trained female athletes: 10 with normal menstrual cycle (NMC) during the early follicular and mid-luteal phases and 10 using a combined oral contraceptive (COC, i.e., ethinyloestradiol and levonorgestrel) during active and inactive hormone intake. Body composition, leptin and lipid profile (total cholesterol, HDL, LDL and triglycerides) were determined in parallel. No changes were observed throughout NMC phases. Irrespective of active/inactive pill intake, COC use increased transferrin, triglycerides as well as reticulocyte count (p < 0.05) and decreased interleukin-6 (p < 0.05), with no significant changes in the other parameters studied. In conclusion, given our results across NMC phases in highly trained athletes, it seems warranted to investigate whether intense physical training would mitigate the impact of endogenous sex hormones on body composition and haematological and inflammatory parameters. In addition, further studies are needed to determine the extent of the changes induced by COCs on these blood biomarkers in elite female athletes when subjected to extreme environments such as intensive training or competition in humid heat, cold and/or hypoxia or when using other medications in parallel.

Concordia in Antarctica is one of the most remote and inhospitable inhabited places on the planet. Overwintering at Concordia presents extreme environmental conditions combining both physiological stress [three-month-long period of polar night (early May to early August) and three-month period of polar day (early November to early February), severe cold, and high-altitude hypoxia] and conditions of isolation and confinement known to induce both physical and cognitive alterations. However, given the very small number of subjects experiencing such conditions, literature remains scarce on the real impact of an overwintering period on steroid hormone changes. Using monthly records, we therefore assessed the impact of an overwintering in 23 male participants on awakening and evening concentrations of cortisol and testosterone, body composition and physical aptitude assessed using a Chester submaximal test. Across overwintering, 10 of the 23 subjects (Group 1) lost more than 2 % of their muscle mass. Awakening and evening concentrations of cortisol and testosterone were preserved throughout wintering with no significant deterioration in physical aptitude. However, Group 1 vs. Group 2 participants had higher end-exercise heart rate and lower testosterone fluctuations between awakening and evening (p < 0.05). These results highlighted the great adaptation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and gonadal axis functions to long-term extreme polar exposure. Further studies are needed to determine the mechanisms underlying the alteration in muscle mass occurring in almost half of the winterers, taking into account the subjects' energy intake and expenditure as well as their initial physical aptitude, in order to propose effective diet and physical activity countermeasures.

BACKGROUND:Saliva sampling provides a practical noninvasive way for biological monitoring of steroid hormones but few studies have focused on saliva sex hormones in female athletes, and it is still unknown whether salivary concentrations are an accurate reflection of blood concentrations in this population. The aim of this study was therefore to evaluate the correlation between serum and saliva estradiol (E2) and progesterone (PG) in 10 young female athletes with normal menstrual cycle. METHODS:Thirty blood and saliva samples were taken at rest in a fasting state in order to analyze E2 and PG concentrations, during 3 different hormonal periods: Status 1: low E2 and low PG (end luteal/early follicular); Status 2: high E2 and low PG (end follicular/peri-ovulatory); Status 3: high PG (mid-luteal). RESULTS:A strong correlation was found between serum and saliva PG (r=0.914, P<0.01), whereas a weaker but still significant relationship was observed between serum and saliva E2 (r=0.755, P<0.01). The most significant correlations obtained for E2 were during Status 2 (r=0.941, P<0.01) and during Status 3 for PG (r=0.817, P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS:Although it remains challenging to produce precise identification with only saliva samples for each menstrual cycle phase, results seem to show that saliva can provide a convenient substitute to serum for sex hormones in female athletes during longitudinal monitoring. This is of particular interest in this population, with the number of female athletes suffering from an altered menstrual cycle, sometimes even during regular menstruation.

Keywords: female athlete, performance development, age, hormonal status, sport discipline, country, doping, diet

Like any athlete, female athletes may be tempted to use prohibited substances during competition or training to enhance their performance. Anti-doping tests performed on female athletes in summer Olympic sports from two geographical areas: Australia/ New Zealand, and France were compared. First, the distribution of sample collections across different sports disciplines, as well as the distribution of substances was investigated. Then the distribution of collections and substances detected in the five sports categories (Strength/Speed, Endurance, Mixed, Motor Skills with High Energy Expenditure, and Motor Skills with Low Energy Expenditure) were studied with consideration of therapeutic use exemptions obtained by the athlete. Australia/New Zealand and France were similar in their overall number of anti-doping collections performed. Likewise, both regions had the same sports disciplines (athletics, aquatics, cycling) and sport categories (Mixed and Endurance) as having the highest number of sample collections. The Motor Skills with High Energy Expenditure, and Motor Skills with Low Energy Expenditure categories had the lowest number of sample collections. However, the number of substances detected was significantly different (p < 0.05) with a greater number of substances found in the French data. There were a few substances in common between the two geographical areas, namely prednisone/prednisolone, carboxy-THC, terbutaline, vilanterol and methylphenidate, but most were different. In-competition tests were the category where most of the AAFs were found.

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the association between physical activity (PA) and combined hormonal contraceptive (CHC) on female students' self perceptio of their menstrual cycle symptoms.Methods: Healthy French female students (n = 834) completed an online questionnaire to assess their PA level (Group 1: non-active; Group 2: moderate physical activity; Group 3: high physical activity; Group 4: very high physical activity), menstrual status or contraception use, self-reported diet and medication, impact on engagement in some social activities, and self-assessment of perceived mental and physical symptoms during the week prior to menses (PM) for students with a normal menstrual cycle (NMC), and the week of menses (ME) for normal menstrual cycle students and those using combined hormonal contraception.Results: Whatever the conditions (PM and ME, NMC and CHC), fewer self-perceived symptoms and self-reported alteration in fat intake were reported by the students in Group 4, and more analgesic and anti-inflammatory medication use was reported by Group 1. Fewer self-perceived symptoms were also found in CHC vs NMC female students for all physical activity levels, but in a more marked way when associated with very high physical activity. In addition, less university and sports practice absenteeism was observed with high and very high physical activity.Conclusion: In conclusion, the perception of menstrual cycle symptoms was lower with very high physical activity, as with combined hormonal contraception. Moreover, female students training more than 5 h/week also reported less university absenteeism and impairment in physical activities. Further studies are necessary to establish the causal link of physical activity and combined hormonal contraception on menstrual symptoms.

People with obesity have varying degrees of cardiovascular, pulmonary, and musculoskeletal dysfunction that affect aerobic exercise testing variables. Short time after bariatric surgery, these dysfunctions could affect both peak oxygen consumption ( V̇ O2 peak), the gold standard for assessing cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and aerobic capacity evaluated with ventilatory threshold (VT1). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the short-term effect of bariatric surgery, i.e. before the resumption of physical activity, on submaximal, at VT1 and maximal cardiorespiratory responses in middle-aged women with severe obesity. Thirteen middle-aged women with severe obesity (age: 36.7 ± 2.3 years; weight: 110.5 ± 3.6 kg, BMI: 41.8 ± 1.1 kg/m2) awaiting bariatric surgery participated in the study. Four weeks before and 6 to 8 weeks after surgery, body composition was determined by bioelectrical impedance. The participants performed an incremental cycling test to V̇ O2 peak. After bariatric surgery, all body composition parameters were reduced, absolute V̇ O2 peak and peak workload decline with a lower VT1. Relative V̇ O2 at peak and at VT1 (ml/min/kg or ml/min/kg of FFM) remained unchanged. Ventilation was lower after bariatric surgery during exercise with no change in cardiac response. Our results showed that weight loss alone at short-term after bariatric surgery decreased CRF as seen by a decrease in absolute V̇ O2 peak, and peak workload with lower VT1, whereas relative V̇ O2 (ml/min/kg or ml/min/kg of FFM) during exercise remained unchanged in women with obesity. Rapid FFM loss affects cardiorespiratory responses at submaximal and maximal.

To achieve optimal sports performances, women and men may show specific doping practices because of the physiological and psychological gender differences, but there are few data on this topic. Here, we report the apparent use of prohibited substances and methods by female athletes based on analyses of the doping tests collected by the French Anti-Doping Agency from 2013 to 2019. We compared the frequency of use and the ergogenic and side effects to those of their male counterparts. The results revealed lower use of prohibited substances in female vs. male athletes, with significantly fewer anabolic agents, hormone and metabolic modulators, and cannabinoids. Gender specificity in utilization of substance classes was also shown. Relatively lower use of hormone modulators and cannabinoids and higher use of beta-2 agonists, diuretics and glucocorticoids were found in the woman cohort compared with men cohort, combined with the different choice of substances, possibly because of the altered ergogenic and/or side effects. However, no impact due to gender regarding the sports disciplines was observed, with both women and men showing similar use of anabolic agents, mainly in the anaerobic sports, and EPO and corticoids, mainly in endurance or mixed sports. Further studies are needed to put these French data into a global perspective, comparing uses across countries and exploring possible new developments in the fight against doping in women.

Although it is well established that physical activity (PA) may partially correct the metabolic and hormonal alterations observed in patients with obesity, knowledge of its impact after bariatric surgery (BS) remains poor. The purpose of this study was to assess the repercussions of physical training on cortisol and testosterone responses in post-BS women. According to a randomized clinical trial, a PA group (11 women) started a 3-month physical training 6 weeks after BS, whereas no specific activity was proposed to a control group (9 women). Submaximal exercise (i.e., 30 min at 60% VO2peak) was performed by all subjects just before and after the 3-month period. Blood samples were taken at rest, after 10, 20, and 30 min of exercise and 10 min of passive recovery for cortisol and testosterone analyses. Blood glucose, blood lactate, and heart rate were assessed at the same time. Before the program, a significant increase in cortisol, blood lactate, and heart rate was observed in all subjects during the submaximal exercise vs. rest, with no change in blood glucose and testosterone. After vs. before the 3-month period, no modification in any parameter was noted at rest in either group. However, during exercise, lack of cortisol increase and lower heart rate were found in the PA group only, with disappearance of the increase in blood lactate in both groups. Our results show some beneficial effects of physical training on hormonal and physical parameters. Further studies are needed to determine the biological and clinical significance of these adaptations induced by physical training in women after BS.

Female athletes have garnered considerable attention in the last few years as more and more women participate in sports events. However, despite the well-known repercussions of female sex hormones, few studies have investigated the specificities of elite female athletes. In this review, we present the current but still limited data on how normal menstrual phases, altered menstrual phases, and hormonal contraception affect both physical and cognitive performances in these elite athletes. To examine the implicated mechanisms, as well as the potential performances and health risks in this population, we then take a broader multidisciplinary approach and report on the causal/reciprocal relationships between hormonal status and mental and physical health in young (18–40 years) healthy females, both trained and untrained. We thus cover the research on both physiological and psychological variables, as well as on the Athlete Biological Passport used for anti-doping purposes. We consider the fairly frequent discrepancies and summarize the current knowledge in this new field of interest. Last, we conclude with some practical guidelines for eliciting improvements in physical and cognitive performance while minimizing the health risks for female athletes.

EDITORIAL article Front. Endocrinol., 16 September 2021 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2021.728756

Introduction. - Physical activity increases cortisol-awakening response (CAR) and reduces perceived stress in several pathologies but its impact in morbidly obese subjects, especially women, remains poorly known. Synthesis and results. - According to their level of physical activity (< or > 1000 METmin/week), 37 middle-age (41.4 +/- 1.7 years) morbidly obese women (BMI: 46.2 +/- 0.7 kg/m(2)) were divided into group 1 (n = 21) and group 2 (n = 16). Saliva samples were taken for cortisol analysis at awakening (cor(aw)) and 30 min after (cor30(aw)), with (CAR) determination. In parallel, body weight and composition were determined by bioelectrical impedance, whereas quality of life, stress and depression were estimated by specific questionnaires. In group 2 (> 1000MET-min/week) vs. group 1 (< 1000MET-min/week), cortisol 30(aw), CAR and lean mass expressed in % were significantly higher and fat mass expressed in kg and % lower (P < 0.05), whereas no change was found in the other parameters investigated. Significant correlations were found between IPAQ scores and body composition and CAR, but not with stress and depression. Conclusion. - The level of physical activity influenced both body composition and CAR as demonstrated in other pathologies, but did not change quality of life, perceived stress and depression in a middle-age morbidly-obese female population. Further studies with a larger number of subjects are necessary to complete these preliminary results and to understand the implicated mechanisms. (C) 2021 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

The systemic effect of glucocorticoids (GCs) following injectable routes of administration presents a potential risk to both improving performance and causing harm to health in athletes. This review evaluates the current GC antidoping regulations defined by the World Anti-Doping Agency and presents a novel approach for defining permitted and prohibited use of glucocorticoids in sport based on the pharmacological potential for performance enhancement (PE) and risk of adverse effects on health. Known performance-enhancing doses of glucocorticoids are expressed in terms of cortisol-equivalent doses and thereby the dose associated with a high potential for PE for any GC and route of administration can be derived. Consequently, revised and substance-specific laboratory reporting values are presented to better distinguish between prohibited and permitted use in sport. In addition, washout periods are presented to enable clinicians to prescribe glucocorticoids safely and to avoid the risk of athletes testing positive for a doping test.

BACKGROUNDDehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) administration is potentially therapeutic because it has been shown to decrease fat mass and adipokines and improve eating and mood disturbances. However, its impact on these parameters has never been investigated in a young healthy population. This study therefore sought to determine whether short-term DHEA administration would alter food intake, segmental body composition, adipokine secretion and mood in young healthy male and female volunteers with regular sport practice.METHODSFollowing a double-blind and randomized protocol, 20 young healthy recreational athletes (10 men and 10 women) received treatment with either oral placebo or DHEA (100 mg/day for 4 weeks). Body weight, segmental body composition and adipokines (i.e., leptin, adiponectin and resistin) were determined before and at the end of each treatment. In parallel, spontaneous food intake was assessed at the end of each treatment, and mood was assessed before and at the end of treatment with the positive and negative affect schedule (PANAS).RESULTSBody weight and segmental body composition showed no significant change in the men or women. Similarly, no change in adipokine secretion was found after DHEA administration. Total food intake was not affected by DHEA in any subject, despite an increase in fat intake by male subjects under DHEA (P<0.05). Positive and negative affect were not altered.CONCLUSIONSIn conclusion, in contrast to pathological populations, a young healthy population of men and women was not significantly affected by short-term DHEA administration with regard to total food intake, segmental body composition, adipokines or mood.

Purpose. - This study was conducted to estimate the impact of the food practices of high-level judokas on body composition, muscle performance and food habits. Methods. - Thirteen elite judokas were distributed in two groups: a group with weight-control practice (group D, n=6) and a group without it (group ND, n=7). Eating habits, sport performance and body composition were evaluated three times during the experiment: out (ES), pre (PRE C) and post-competitive (POST C) periods. Results. - For the D group, we observed a decrease of body mass index, of the sum of skin folds thickness and of circumference of thigh between ES and PRE C periods, and an increase between PRE C and POST C periods. For the ND group, no difference was observed whatever the considered period. For strength tests, there is no difference between groups and between the different periods. Total energy intake and macronutrient intake of the D group decreased between ES and PRE C periods. This decrease concerned mainly fat intake. These parameters increased between PRE and POST C periods. Conclusion. - In this study carried out on elite female judoka, changes in body composition and total energy intake had no effect on muscle performance and did not cause eating disorders. (C) 2019 Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.

L’activité physique (AP) régulière doit faire partie de la prise en charge thérapeutique de l’obésité même après une chirurgie bariatrique [1]. Ainsi, l’objectif de ce travail était d’évaluer l’effet d’un programme d’AP sur la condition physique, la composition corporelle et la qualité de vie de sujets opérés d’une chirurgie bariatrique. Deux groupes de sujets, opérés d’une chirurgie bariatrique, ont été constitués : un groupe contrôle (GC) effectuant la prise en charge post-chirurgicale habituelle, et un groupe expérimental (GE) participant en plus à un programme d’AP (renforcement musculaire et aérobie : 60–75 % de la FC max, 3 fois/semaine, 8 semaines). La composition corporelle, la distance de marche lors d’un TM6, le nombre de pas quotidien et la qualité de vie [2] ont été évalués avant (T1) et après (T2) cette période. À T2, les paramètres de la composition corporelle sont diminués dans les 2 groupes mais seuls l’IMC dans les 2 groupes, et la masse grasse dans le GE, ont baissé significativement (Tableau 1). La distance de marche est augmentée significativement dans les 2 groupes et une hausse non significative du nombre de pas et du score total de qualité de vie est notée. Cette étude ne met pas en évidence d’effets supplémentaires de ce programme d’AP en post-chirurgie bariatrique à court terme sur la composition corporelle, l’activité quotidienne et la qualité de vie de sujets opérés. Même si l’AP régulière doit être intégrée au nouveau mode de vie de ces personnes, des études complémentaires sont nécessaires pour montrer sa réelle efficacité.

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of swim intensity on acute responses to dynamic apnoea. 9 swimmers performed one 50 m front crawl trial in four different conditions: at 400 m velocity (V-400) with normal breathing (NB), at V-400 in complete apnoea (Ap), at maximal velocity (V-max ) with NB and at V-max in Ap. Peak heart rate (HRpeak), blood lactate concentration after exercise (Lac(post ex)) and Borg rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured. Arterial oxygen saturation (SpO(2)) was monitored with a pulse oximeter at forehead level during and after exercise. In Ap, swimming at V-400 induced a significantly lower HRpeak and Lac(post ex) than swimming at V-max whilst RPE and the kinetics of SpO(2) were not different at V-400 and at V-max. The minimal value of SpO(2) in Ap was reached 10 to 11 s after the end of V-400 and V-max (81.7 +/- 10.1% and 84.4 +/- 10.6%, respectively). Swimming a 50 m front crawl in Ap resulted in a large decrease in SpO(2) which occurred only after the cessation of exercise. The higher duration of apnoea during submaximal exercise could explain why SpO(2) and RPE reached the same values as for maximal exercise.