The oral contraceptive pill: exercise implications

The aim of this thesis was to investigate the exercise implications of oral contraceptive (OC) use. Study One investigated the prevalence of OC use, hormone-related symptoms, and influence on physical activity/exercise/sport involvement. Physically-active women (n=755) completed a questionnaire to explore previous and current OC use and hormone-related symptoms. Prevalence of use was 60.9%. Naturally-menstruating respondents reported higher occurrence of hormone-related symptoms and influence on physical activity/exercise/sport compared to OC-users. OC-users were less likely to avoid physical activity/exercise/sport due to menstrual symptoms/menstruation than naturally-menstruating women. Therefore, OC use may reduce the impact of ovarian hormone-related barriers to physical activity/exercise/sport involvement.Submitted in the fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, University of Queensland, 2016