Female Athletes and Resistance Training: Acute Hormonal Response and the Influence of the Menstrual Cycle on Training Performance

Aim: This prospective observational study aimed to evaluate acute adrenal-derived hormonal responses and training performance in elite female athletes during resistance training. Methods: Methods: In 19 elite female athletes, acute hormonal responses to resistance training were examined over four weeks, measured before and 60 minutes after exercise. Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry provided a comprehensive steroid profile, including classical and adrenal-specific 11-oxygenated androgens. Performance metrics were tracked using velocity-based training method. Results: Results: Sixty minutes after resistance training, significant acute changes in steroid hormone concentrations were observed. Levels of 11β-hydroxyandrostenedione (11OHA4) (-0.707 nmol/l; p=0.012, -20%), androsterone (-0.201 nmol/l; p=0.049, -14.8%), and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) (-3.813 nmol/l; p=0.006, -17.1%) decreased significantly. The total sums of glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, and of bioactive androgens decreased. No significant differences in absolute or relative velocity loss and estimated one-repetition maximum were observed, suggesting comparable strength and fatigue across menstrual cycle phases. Conclusion: The observed post-exercise decline in glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, androgens such as DHEA, indicate a coordinated acute suppression of adrenal steroidogenesis in response to resistance training in female elite athletes. No differences in strength parameters were observed across menstrual cycle phases.