Potential variability in neuromuscular function or physiology throughout the menstrual cycle (MC) or a cycle of using hormonal contraceptives may affect muscular performance variables that are relevant to exercise, training, or sport. Collegiate softball players (n = 11) that reported using and not using hormonal contraceptives completed three testing sessions during their respective early follicular, ovulatory, and mid luteal phases of the MC or early, mid, or late phases of their hormonal contraceptive cycle (HCC). Each testing session included a series of performance tests: countermovement jump on a force plate, 15-yard sprints, velocity assessment of the back squat performed at 70% of one-repetition maximum (1-RM), one-repetition maximum bench press, and 70% 1-RM repetitions to failure testing on the bench press. No significant differences were found for any of the performance tests between the three phases, though performance on most tasks peaked during the mid luteal/late phases of the MC/HCC. It is important to note that this study was underpowered and this could have masked any observed differences. Collectively, muscular performance was not significantly different throughout phases of the MC or HCC in these athletes, indicating that potential hormonal variability throughout the MC or HCC did not seem to have an effect on performance outcomes in this study.

We examined the effects of combining resistance training (RT) with semaglutide use on body composition, metabolism, strength, and muscle thickness and quality. Men and women (n = 11) aged 30–55 years participated in this study. Measurements included resting metabolic rate, body composition, fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, ultrasound-derived muscle thickness and quality of upper and lower extremity musculature, chest press and leg press 10-repetition maximum (10RM), and handgrip strength. Participants continued their medication use for four weeks without RT (GLP-1), and this was followed by an eight-week RT protocol alongside continued medication use (GLP-1+RT). Body mass decreased 0.991 kg (p = 0.019) and 2.627 kg (p = 0.011) during GLP-1 and GLP-1+RT, respectively. Fat mass and body fat percentage decreased significantly during GLP-1+RT (−3.355 kg, p = 0.008 and −3.073%, p = 0.013, respectively). There was a non-significant increase (1.1 kg) in fat-free mass. Muscle thickness and quality were maintained. Leg press and chest press 10RM improved during GLP-1+RT (p < 0.001 and p = 0.006, respectively). This exploratory study provides context regarding RT’s effects on fat-free mass, strength, and size and quality of muscle in individuals using semaglutide.