Oral contraceptive (OC) intake seems to be associated with increased central hemodynamics and arterial stiffness. Conversely, physical activity (PA) is known to induce benefits on vascular structure and function, suggesting that the negative effects of the OC pill could be counterbalanced by regular PA. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine (1) whether OC intake in young women is associated with higher values of hemodynamic parameters and arterial stiffness and (2) whether these negative effects could be counterbalanced by regular physical activity. Forty-nine young healthy women (21.9 years ± 2.1) were recruited and divided into 4 groups, depending on their hormonal status (OC users: OC+ or non-OC users: OC−) and their physical habits (active/inactive). Assessments of central hemodynamics (central blood pressure, Aix75) and pulse wave velocity (PWV) were performed using applanation tonometry. cBP was higher in OC+ vs. OC−, while PWV was similar between these two groups. No interaction between physical activity and hormonal status was observed for any of these variables. Nevertheless, PWV was lower in young active women compared with age-matched inactive women, suggesting that the positive effect of regular physical exercise on the cardiovascular system is already visible in the first years of women’s adulthood, whatever the hormonal status.

Menopause accelerates increases in arterial stiffness and decreases cognitive performances. The objective of this study was to compare cognitive performances in physically active pre- and post-menopausal females and their relationship with arterial stiffness. We performed a cross-sectional comparison of blood pressure, carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV) and cognitive performances between physically active late pre- and early post-menopausal females. Systolic (post-menopause—pre-menopause: +6 mmHg [95% CI −1; +13], p = 0.27; ŋ² = 0.04) and diastolic (+6 mmHg [95% CI +2; +11], p = 0.06; ŋ² = 0.12) blood pressures, and cf-PWV (+0.29 m/s [95% CI −1.03; 1.62], p = 0.48; ŋ² = 0.02) did not differ between groups. Post-menopausal females performed as well as pre-menopausal females on tests evaluating executive functions, episodic memory and processing speed. Group differences were observed on the computerized working memory task. Post-menopausal females had lower accuracy (p = 0.02; ŋ² = 0.25) but similar reaction time (p = 0.70; ŋ² < 0.01). Moreover, this performance was inversely associated with the severity of menopausal symptoms (r = −0.38; p = 0.05). These results suggest that arterial stiffness and performance on tests assessing episodic memory and processing speed and executive functions assessing inhibition and switching abilities did not differ between physically active pre- and post-menopausal females. However, post-menopausal females had lower performance on a challenging condition of a working memory task, and this difference in working memory between groups cannot be explained by increased arterial stiffness.

Menopause‐related cognitive decline, often worsened by vasomotor symptoms (VMS), might be mitigated by high cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). Although acute exercise supports neurocognitive function, its effects vary by exercise and individual characteristics. In this study, we investigated the acute effects of isometric resistance exercise (IRE) and high‐intensity interval exercise (HIIE) on prefrontal cortex oxygenation and cognitive performance in postmenopausal women and examined the influence of VMS and CRF on these outcomes. A cross‐over randomized controlled trial was conducted among 29 women aged 55 ± 3 years. The HIIE session included two sets of 12 × 15 s at 100% maximal aerobic power, and the IRE session included 4 × 2 min at 30% maximal voluntary force. Cognitive functions were evaluated before and after sessions using the MEM‐III story recall test (episodic memory), Stroop task (inhibitory control) and n‐back task (working memory). Prefrontal cortex oxygenation was assessed by measuring oxyhaemoglobin (ΔHbO ₂ ), deoxygenated haemoglobin (ΔHHb) and total haemoglobin (ΔtHb) concentrations before, during and after each session. No effect of exercise was noted on cognitive performance. However, prefrontal cortex oxygenation increased during HIIE (ΔHbO ₂ : d = 0.99, p < 0.0001; ΔHHb: d = 0.68, p = 0.018; ΔtHb: d = 0.96, p = 0.001), during IRE (ΔHbO ₂ : d = 1.2, p = 0.003) and post‐HIIE (ΔHbO ₂ and ΔtHb: d > 1; p < 0.0001) versus control. CRF positively modulated cognitive and cerebrovascular responses to IRE, whereas VMS showed no influence. IRE and HIIE did not improve cognitive performance in postmenopausal women, but increased prefrontal cortex oxygenation, with sustained effects after HIIE. CRF positively modulated responses, whereas VMS did not, underscoring the importance of maintaining high CRF to support brain health in this population.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of two menstrual cycle (MC) phases - early follicular phase (EFP) and mid-luteal phase (MLP) - on sleep, well-being, and the effects of whole-body cryostimulation (WBC) in young female athletes. Core temperature (CT) and heart rate variability (HRV) were also assessed to explore the physiological mechanisms underlying these effects, both under control conditions and after WBC. Using a randomized, controlled, cross-over design, seventeen naturally menstruating women (24 ± 3.3 years) were evaluated over two consecutive cycles (cycle length 21-35 days, positive urinary ovulation test). The experimental cycle included two three-day WBC sessions (3 min at -110 °C) compared to a control cycle without WBC. Subjective and objective sleep quality (SQ), CT, and HRV were measured during both cycles. The MC phase did not significantly affect subjective SQ, but was associated with decreased objective SQ and increased fatigue during the MLP compared to the EFP. The MLP was also characterized by elevated CT and increased sympathetic activity, suggesting impaired nocturnal thermoregulation during this phase. WBC improved objective SQ and perceived fatigue during the MLP and appeared to help restore thermoregulatory function, although sympathetic activity remained elevated. These findings suggest that WBC may be an effective intervention to counteract MC-related impairments in sleep and fatigue in female athletes.

Menopause is associated with increased blood pressure (BP) and vasomotor symptoms (VMS), both elevating cardiovascular risk. Exercise can induce postexercise hypotension (PEH), with responses varying by exercise type and population characteristics. This study aimed to (1) examine the effect of high‐intensity interval exercise (HIIE) and isometric resistance exercise (IRE) compared to control session (CONT) on PEH in normotensive postmenopausal women and (2) examine the VMS effect on PEH responses. A cross‐over randomized controlled trial was conducted in 29 women (15 with moderate‐to‐severe VMS, 14 without), aged 55 ± 3 years. HIIE included 2 sets of 12*15‐s at 100% maximal aerobic power, IRE included 4*2‐min at 30% maximal voluntary contraction, and CONT included a sitting period. PEH was assessed 30 min post‐session and with 24‐h assessment, providing data on dipping profiles and BP variability. Repeated measures ANOVA with Bonferroni post hoc tests were conducted. HIIE induced systolic PEH at +30 min postexercise compared to pre‐exercise (−6.1 mmHg, p = 0.048) and CONT (−8.1 mmHg, p = 0.010). For IRE, nocturnal systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) BP decreased versus CONT (SBP: −3.2 mmHg, p = 0.008; DBP: −2.0 mmHg, p = 0.003) and HIIE (SBP: −3.4 mmHg, p = 0.004; DBP: −2.2 mmHg, p < 0.001), increasing dippers proportion. In women with VMS, nocturnal SBP was lower after IRE than HIIE (−5.6 mmHg, p = 0.002). Both HIIE and IRE induced PEH in postmenopausal women, with HIIE reducing BP +30 min postexercise and IRE improving nocturnal BP and increasing dippers. In women with VMS, the nocturnal BP response varies according to exercise modality. Trial Registration: The study is registered on clinicaltrials.gov ( n °NCT06533982)