Menstrual Phase Does Not Impact Strength Training Induced Muscle Protein Synthesis: New Study

Authors, pundits, and podcasters alike have pontificated about the importance of timing the strength training workout with specific menstrual phases.  The underlying assumption being, we are more capable of stimulating muscle protein synthesis (MPS) during follicular phase versus the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. 

Dr. Lauren Colenso-Semple, a researcher at the esteemed Exercise Metabolism Research Group at McMaster University in Canada, recently published the most comprehensive study investigating this important topic.   

In an elaborate study, Dr. Colenso-Semple measured MPS and myofibrillar protein breakdown (MPB) following strength training workouts across both the follicular and luteal phase.  

This study’s important conclusions: 

MPS was not impacted by mensural cycle phase.  There is not muscle building benefit by timing our strength training workouts so that they occur during the follicular phase versus the menstrual phase.  Speaking more broadly, Dr. Colenso-Semple states, “We don’t have evidence that women should be training differently than men.”