Influence of Second-Generation Oral Contraceptives on Muscle Recovery after Repeated Resistance Exercise in Trained Females.

Purpose: Oral contraceptives (OCs) are commonly used by female athletes, but their effects on skeletal muscle are still poorly understood. We investigated if physically trained females using second-generation OCs differed from nonusers of OCs in the recovery of muscle function and muscle damage markers after repeated resistance exercise sessions.

Methods: We recruited 20 trained second-generation OC users and 20 trained nonusers to perform three strenuous resistance exercise sessions.