The research is unclear if menstrual cycle hormone flucuations impact endurance performance. It is currently unknown if the work capacity above a runner’s critical speed or her physiological and perceptual progression of fatigue is affected by flucuations in sex hormones. The primary purpose of this research is to investigate a potential influence of hormone profile during the follicular vs. luteal phases of a woman’s menstrual cycle on her progression of perceptual and physiological fatigue at middle distance running intensities. This research may help to develop practical guidelines for training prescription and strategies to help female athletes optimize performance outcomes. 

The last few decades have seen significant advances in our understanding of the symbiotic relationship between humans and their gut microbiota. Much remains to be learned about the mechanisms by which resident microbes promote metabolic health and/or impact performance. Humans can improve their metabolic health and achieve impressive performance outcomes through endurance training. Endurance training is also associated with beneficial shifts in the gastrointestinal microbiome; however, no mechanistic link has been identified. We hypothesize that the behavior of gut microbes may lead to adaptations that elevate muscle mitochondrial function, and therefore endurance performance. The goal of this multi-year research study is to explore the potential role for the gut microbiome to impact mitochondrial function and improve endurance performance.