The effect of the menstrual cycle and oral contraceptive pill on countermovement jump height, perceived recovery and readiness to train following a strength-based exercise session

This study investigated the effect of the menstrual cycle (MC) and combined oral contraceptive pill (mOCP) on countermovement jump (CMJ) height, perceived recovery and readiness to train following a strength-based exercise session. Forty-two recreationally active women; 21 naturally menstruating (NM) and 21 mOCP users, performed a strength-based session at three phases across their respective cycle. Pre-, immediately post-, and at 24, 48, and 72 h post-exercise, physical (CMJ) and perceptual (i.e., perceived recovery and readiness to train) measures were recorded. Participants reported their perceived symptoms daily to quantify symptom frequency and severity before and after exercise. Pre-exercise CMJ height was lower in both groups in testing phase one compared to other phases (P ≤ 0.017). A decline in CMJ height post-exercise persisted for 48 h (P < 0.001), before recovering at 72 h, with no difference across phases or between groups. NM women reported longer perceived recovery in testing phase one (72 h), compared to other phases (48 h, P ≤ 0.001), whereas mOCP users perceived full recovery at 72 h across all phases (P ≤ 0.004). Symptom frequency and severity were perceived to be greater in both groups in testing phase one compared to other phases (P ≤ 0.001), although symptoms reduced immediately post-exercise irrespective of phase and group (P < 0.001). These findings suggest that CMJ performance and perceived recovery are influenced by the MC and mOCP use, likely due to symptoms and perceived readiness, but physical recovery appears unaffected.