Therefore, the present study aims to evaluate the role of the impact of altitude on sleep and the menstrual cycle in the inter- and intraindividual variability of altitude training effectiveness. In order to do so, elite female cyclists will be monitored before, during and after an altitude training camp. The monitoring will include menstrual cycle characteristics, sleep and altitude effectiveness and will start three months before the start of the altitude training camp and end two months after the altitude training camp. Both naturally cycling women and women using contraceptives will be included in the study. Menstrual cycle monitoring will take place via self-reports and via a daily saliva (Eli Health) and urine (Proov) test to measure progesterone concentration. Besides proges-terone concentration, the sampled urine will also be used to perform an ovulation test on (i.e., measuring the luteinizing hormone). In addition, a blood sample will be collected at the start of each menstrual cycle to evaluate the concentration of menstrual cycle-related hormones (e.g., fol-licle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, estrogen, and progesterone) and to evaluate the functioning of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis (i.e., cortisol concentration). Sleep moni-toring will be performed via the use of questionnaires, actigraphy and polysomnography. Lastly, altitude effectiveness will be evaluated via the altitude-associated response in total hemoglobin mass and via an all out cycle ergometer task.
Age range
18 Years
Sex
FEMALE
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Total hemoglobin mass (tHBmass)
Timeframe: Will be measured at sea level 5 days before (i.e., Day -5) and on the last day of the altitude training camp (i.e., Day 18)
A standardized 5-min all-out cycling test
Timeframe: Will be performed on a calibrated cycle ergometer 5 days before (i.e. Day -5) and on the final day of the altitude training camp (i.e., Day 18)
A wake and sleep diary
Timeframe: Participants will have to fill out this wake and sleep diary daily from Day -7 to Day 25 (Day 0 being the first day of the altitude training camp).
The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)
Timeframe: The PSQI will have to be completed at the end of each month in which the menstrual cyclus is monitored (i.e., Month -3 final day, Month -2 final day, Month -1 final day, Month 0 final day, Month 1 final day and Month 2 final day).
Actigraphy
Timeframe: The participants will be requested to wear the ActiGraph for a period of 24 hours without interruption on Day -7, Day -6, Day 0, Day 1, Day 6, Day 7, Day 12, Day 13, Day 17, Day 18, Day 24 en Day 25 (Day 0 being the start of the altitude training camp).
Polysomnography
Timeframe: Will be used to monitor sleep on pre Day -7, Day -7, Day 1, Day 6, Day 12, Day 18 en Day 25 (Day 0 being the start of altitude training camp).
A survey which documents menstrual cycle history
Timeframe: Once, at the start of the monitoring period, 3 months prior the altitude training camp.
A short questionnaire asking whether they bled, flow and cramping.
Timeframe: On a daily basis. This daily basis monitoring will start three months before the start of the altitude training camp, and will end two months after the altitude training camp.
A saliva (Eli Health) test
Timeframe: This daily testing will start 3 months before the start of the altitude training camp and end two months after the altitude training camp.
A urine (Proov) test
Timeframe: This daily testing will start 3 months before the start of the altitude training camp and end two months after the altitude training camp.
A urine sample
Timeframe: The ovulation test will have to be performed starting several days before the expected luteinizing hormone surge so that the peak is not missed (i.e., Day 7 of the cycle) and stop on Day 18 of the cycle (each cycle is 28 days).
A blood sample
Timeframe: At the start of each menstrual cycle during the monitoring period (from three months before the altitude training camp till two months after the altitude training camp).