TY - JOUR
T1 - The Impact of menstrual cycle phases on cardiac autonomic nervous system activity
T2 - An observational study considering lifestyle (diet, physical activity, and sleep) among female college students
AU - Tada, Yuki
AU - Yoshizaki, Takahiro
AU - Tomata, Yasutake
AU - Yokoyama, Yuri
AU - Sunami, Ayaka
AU - Hida, Azumi
AU - Kawano, Yukari
N1 - Funding Information:
The authors gratefully acknowledge laboratory staff members for their invaluable support. This study was supported by a grant from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science [Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B) 26750055].
Publisher Copyright:
© 2017, Center for Academic Publications Japan. All rights reserved.
PY - 2017
Y1 - 2017
N2 - Studies examining the impact of menstrual cycle phases on the cardiac autonomic nervous system have produced inconsistent results. This study aimed to investigate this relationship, controlling for the confounding effects of diet, physical activity, and sleep, which can be affected by the menstrual cycle. Fifteen female college students with regular menses were enrolled. Data regarding 24-h heart rate variability (HRV), dietary intake, eating behavior, menstrual distress, and sleep and activity parameters were obtained during the follicular and luteal phases. Power spectral analysis of HRV was used to calculate low-frequency (0.04-0.15 Hz, LF), high-frequency (>0.15 Hz, HF), and total spectral power (TP). Cardiac sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system activity indicators were evaluated as LF/HF and HF/TP, respectively. Intake of protein and fat, as well as total sleep time and number of awakenings, were higher in the luteal phase than in the follicular phase (p<0.05). Tendencies for increased mean activity counts, emotional eating scores, and behavioral change scores in the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire were observed in the luteal phase (p<0.10). Although LF/HF was higher in the luteal phase (p=0.036), the relationship was weakened after controlling for diet, physical activity, and sleep (p=0.113). Our findings suggest that altering sympathetic nervous system activity during the menstrual cycle was not independent from major lifestyle factors (diet, physical activity, and sleep). Menstrual cycle phase and changes of these parameters should be considered when assessing the cardiac autonomic function among menstruating woman.
AB - Studies examining the impact of menstrual cycle phases on the cardiac autonomic nervous system have produced inconsistent results. This study aimed to investigate this relationship, controlling for the confounding effects of diet, physical activity, and sleep, which can be affected by the menstrual cycle. Fifteen female college students with regular menses were enrolled. Data regarding 24-h heart rate variability (HRV), dietary intake, eating behavior, menstrual distress, and sleep and activity parameters were obtained during the follicular and luteal phases. Power spectral analysis of HRV was used to calculate low-frequency (0.04-0.15 Hz, LF), high-frequency (>0.15 Hz, HF), and total spectral power (TP). Cardiac sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system activity indicators were evaluated as LF/HF and HF/TP, respectively. Intake of protein and fat, as well as total sleep time and number of awakenings, were higher in the luteal phase than in the follicular phase (p<0.05). Tendencies for increased mean activity counts, emotional eating scores, and behavioral change scores in the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire were observed in the luteal phase (p<0.10). Although LF/HF was higher in the luteal phase (p=0.036), the relationship was weakened after controlling for diet, physical activity, and sleep (p=0.113). Our findings suggest that altering sympathetic nervous system activity during the menstrual cycle was not independent from major lifestyle factors (diet, physical activity, and sleep). Menstrual cycle phase and changes of these parameters should be considered when assessing the cardiac autonomic function among menstruating woman.
KW - Autonomic nervous system activity
KW - Dietary intake
KW - Menstrual cycle
KW - Women
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U2 - 10.3177/jnsv.63.249
DO - 10.3177/jnsv.63.249
M3 - Article
C2 - 28978872
AN - SCOPUS:85030667043
VL - 63
SP - 249
EP - 255
JO - The Journal of vitaminology
JF - The Journal of vitaminology
SN - 0301-4800
IS - 4
ER -