Engstad Martin Kvalvik, Seynnes Olivier, Vesterhus Ingvild, Hesseberg Eirik, Fjeldberg Ken, Carlsen Monica Hauger, Ottestad Inger Olaug, Hansen Mette, Nordez Antoine, Lacourpaille Lilian, Pensgaard Anne Marte, Paulsen Gøran
Department of Physical Performance, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway.
Department of Nutrition, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2025 Apr;35(4):e70052. doi: 10.1111/sms.70052.
Oral contraceptives (OC) are widely used by women, while their interactions with strength training are yet to be resolved. This study investigated the effects of OC use on muscle hypertrophy and strength adaptation to heavy strength training in young adult women. Fifteen habitual OC users and 17 non-OC users (NOC) with regular menstrual cycles completed ~12 weeks of strength training, which spanned three menstrual cycles for the NOC group. All participants were young, healthy, and strength-untrained. Isometric knee-extensor strength, muscle cross-sectional area of the vastus lateralis (ultrasound imaging), and body composition (DXA) were used to evaluate training adaptations. Blood samples for estradiol and progesterone analyses, dietary registrations, and questionnaires assessing appetite, vitality, motivation, recovery status, and sleep duration were collected during the intervention period. Both groups experienced gains in lean mass and muscle strength. However, the OC group demonstrated a significantly larger increase in arm lean mass (5.5% ± 3.9% [mean ± standard deviation] vs. 2.9% ± 2.8%, p < 0.05) and vastus lateralis cross-sectional area (10.0% ± 4.1% vs. 5.3% ± 4.4%, p < 0.05) compared to the NOC group. Despite these differences, there was no significant group difference in lower body strength gains. Both groups reported similar levels of appetite, dietary intake, vitality, motivation to exercise, and perceived recovery throughout the study, although the OC group slept an average of 42 min longer per day. Our findings suggest that OC use potentiates muscle growth during strength training, although further research is needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and long-term effects.
口服避孕药（OC）被女性广泛使用，但其与力量训练之间的相互作用尚待解决。本研究调查了服用OC对年轻成年女性肌肉肥大以及重负荷力量训练的力量适应性的影响。15名长期服用OC的使用者和17名月经周期规律的非OC使用者（NOC）完成了约12周的力量训练，NOC组的训练跨越了三个月经周期。所有参与者均年轻、健康且未进行过力量训练。采用等长伸膝力量、股外侧肌肌肉横截面积（超声成像）和身体成分（双能X线吸收法）来评估训练适应性。在干预期收集血样进行雌二醇和孕酮分析、饮食记录，并通过问卷评估食欲、活力、动力、恢复状态和睡眠时间。两组的瘦体重和肌肉力量均有所增加。然而，与NOC组相比，OC组的手臂瘦体重增加幅度显著更大（5.5%±3.9%[平均值±标准差]对2.9%±2.8%，p<0.05），股外侧肌横截面积增加幅度也更大（10.0%±4.1%对5.3%±4.4%，p<0.05）。尽管存在这些差异，但两组在下肢力量增加方面无显著差异。在整个研究过程中，两组报告的食欲、饮食摄入量、活力、运动动力和感知恢复水平相似，不过OC组平均每天睡眠时间长42分钟。我们的研究结果表明，服用OC可增强力量训练期间的肌肉生长，尽管需要进一步研究以阐明其潜在机制和长期影响。
