Table 1.
Subject characteristics
| LE-NOC | HE-OC | |
|---|---|---|
| Age (years) | 24 ± 4 | 24 ± 2 |
| Weight (kg) | 65.0 ± 8.4 | 63.7 ± 8.4 |
| Height (m) | 1.67 ± 0.07 | 1.70 ± 0.06 |
| BMI (kg m−2) | 23.3 ± 2.4 | 22.0 ± 2.6 |
| Body fat (%) | 31.1 ± 8.6 | 27.7 ± 7.2 |
| LBM (kg) | 42.6 ± 4.1 | 43.9 ± 4.4 |
| Workload (Wattsubmax) | 44 ± 9 | 37 ± 7 |
| Workload (%Wattmax) | 68 ± 6 | 67 ± 8 |
| PT (times week−1) | 2.2 ± 1.3 | 2.4 ± 1.6 |
| PA (h week−1) | 4.9 ± 2.1 | 5.4 ± 2.0 |
| Bike, transport (% of PA) | 61 ± 30 | 58 ± 23 |
| Patellar tendon, mean CSA (mm2) | 75 ± 7 | 82 ± 10 |
Values are means ±s.d. No significant differences between LE-NOC (women who had never used oral contraceptives tested at low circulating levels of oestradiol) and HE-OC (oral contraceptive users tested in the hours after ingestion of oestradiol) for any of the parameters were observed. Body composition was measured by DEXA. LBM, lean body mass; BMI, body mass index; PT, physical training; PA, physical activity (bike transportation and PT).