scholarly journals The Impact of Menstrual Cycle Phase on Athletes’ Performance: A Narrative Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 1667
Author(s):  
Mikaeli Anne Carmichael ◽  
Rebecca Louise Thomson ◽  
Lisa Jane Moran ◽  
Thomas Philip Wycherley
Keyword(s):  
Menstrual Cycle ◽  
Physical Performance ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Sport Performance ◽  
Performance Outcomes ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
Cycle Phase ◽  
Menstrual Cycle Phase ◽  
Objective Performance ◽  
The Impact

The effect of the menstrual cycle on physical performance is being increasingly recognised as a key consideration for women’s sport and a critical field for further research. This narrative review explores the findings of studies investigating the effects of menstrual cycle phase on perceived and objectively measured performance in an athletic population. Studies examining perceived performance consistently report that female athletes identify their performance to be relatively worse during the early follicular and late luteal phases. Studies examining objective performance (using anaerobic, aerobic or strength-related tests) do not report clear, consistent effects of the impact of menstrual cycle phase on physical performance. Overall sport performance can be influenced by both perceived and physical factors. Hence, to optimise performance and management of eumenorrheic female athletes, there is a need for further research to quantify the impact of menstrual cycle phase on perceived and physical performance outcomes and to identify factors affecting variability in objective performance outcomes between studies.

scholarly journals The Effects of Menstrual Cycle Phase on Elite Athlete Performance: A Critical and Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alice Meignié ◽  
Martine Duclos ◽  
Christopher Carling ◽  
Emmanuel Orhant ◽  
Peggy Provost ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Menstrual Cycle ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Elite Athletes ◽  
Field Performance ◽  
Scientific Publication ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Cycle Phase ◽  
Performance Parameters ◽  
Menstrual Cycle Phase ◽  
The Impact

Background: In elite athletes, training individualization is widely recommended to optimize competitive performance. Previous studies have evidenced the impact of hormonal fluctuations on different performance parameters among female athletes. While consideration of menstrual cycle (MC) phases as a parameter in training individualization strategies is necessary, systematic evidence identifying such impacts in elite athletes should be evaluated.Objective: Systematically review publications that have investigated the link between MC phases and performance in elite female athletes. The overarching aim is to identify whether a consensus across studies exists enabling evidence-based recommendations for training individualization depending on menstrual cycle phases.Methods: This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Three major scientific publication databases were searched from inception until November 3, 2020. Studies included focused on the influence of physiological or psychological parameters throughout at least one phase of the menstrual cycle of elite athletes.Results: A total of 780 search results were yielded and 26 references from a past bibliography were added manually. About 662 papers were reviewed of which 218 studies were assessed for eligibility. Of these, only seven (1%) precisely investigated the influence of a performance or physical parameter during at least one menstrual cycle phase. These seven studies included a total of 314 elite female participants (20.58 ± 1.91 years). Three used interviews, questionnaires or prospective analyses of reports. Four conducted several performance tests or included physical measures although only two performed tests during training or before/during competition. Among the seven studies, five performed hormonal testing through sampling of blood, saliva, or urine. The remaining relied on athletes’ menstruation diaries. The current evidence suggests a variable association between menstrual cycle and a few performance-related outcomes, such as endurance or power resistance, ligament stiffness, decision making skills, psychology, or competitiveness.Conclusion: Different sports performance-related parameters are affected during the menstrual cycle among elite athletes, but the parameters themselves and the magnitude and the direction of the effects are inconclusive. Additional longitudinal and prospective studies to systematically monitor on-field performance parameters are urgently required in order to enable recommendations and training individualization in female elite athletes.

scholarly journals Endogenous Oxytocin Levels in Relation to Food Intake, Menstrual Phase, and Age in Females

2018 ◽  
Vol 104 (4) ◽  
pp. 1348-1356 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Aulinas ◽  
Reitumetse L Pulumo ◽  
Elisa Asanza ◽  
Christopher J Mancuso ◽  
Meghan Slattery ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Menstrual Cycle ◽  
Food Intake ◽  
Eating Behavior ◽  
Caloric Intake ◽  
Cycle Phase ◽  
Menstrual Phase ◽  
Menstrual Cycle Phase ◽  
Mixed Meal ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Healthy Females

Abstract Context Oxytocin regulates a range of physiological processes including eating behavior and oxytocin administration reduces caloric intake in males. There are few data on oxytocin and eating behavior in healthy females or on the response of endogenous oxytocin to food intake and its relationship to appetite in humans. Objectives To determine the postprandial pattern of oxytocin levels, the relationship between oxytocin and appetite, and the impact of menstrual cycle phase and age on oxytocin levels in females. Design Cross-sectional. Setting Clinical research center. Participants Fifty-five healthy females (age 10 to 45 years). Interventions A standardized mixed meal was administered. Main Outcome Measurements Blood sampling for oxytocin occurred at fasting and at 30, 60, and 120 minutes postmeal. Appetite was assessed using Visual Analogue Scales pre- and postmeal. Results Mean fasting oxytocin levels were 1011.2 ± 52.3 pg/mL (SEM) and decreased at 30 and 60 minutes postmeal (P = 0.001 and P = 0.003, respectively). Mean oxytocin levels decreased19.6% ± 3.0% from baseline to nadir. Oxytocin area under the curve was lower in the early to midfollicular menstrual cycle phase (P = 0.0003) and higher in younger females (P = 0.002). The percent change in oxytocin (baseline to nadir) was associated with postprandial hunger (rs = -0.291, P = 0.03) and fullness (rs = 0.345, P = 0.009). These relations remained significant after controlling for calories consumed, menstrual cycle status, and age (P = 0.023 and P = 0.0001, respectively). Conclusions Peripheral oxytocin levels in females decrease after a mixed meal and are associated with appetite independent of menstrual phase, age, and caloric intake, suggesting that endogenous oxytocin levels may play a role in perceived hunger and satiety.

scholarly journals Systematic and Meta-Analytic Review of Research Examining the Impact of Menstrual Cycle Phase and Ovarian Hormones on Smoking and Cessation

2015 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 407-421 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. H. Weinberger ◽  
P. H. Smith ◽  
S. S. Allen ◽  
K. P. Cosgrove ◽  
M. E. Saladin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Menstrual Cycle ◽  
Ovarian Hormones ◽  
Cycle Phase ◽  
Menstrual Cycle Phase ◽  
Analytic Review ◽  
The Impact

Menstrual cycle phase and elite female soccer match-play: influence on various physical performance outputs

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Ross Julian ◽  
Sabrina Skorski ◽  
Anne Hecksteden ◽  
Christina Pfeifer ◽  
Paul S Bradley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Menstrual Cycle ◽  
Physical Performance ◽  
Cycle Phase ◽  
Menstrual Cycle Phase ◽  
Match Play ◽  
Soccer Match

scholarly journals The effects of menstrual cycle phase on physical performance in female soccer players

PLoS ONE ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. e0173951 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ross Julian ◽  
Anne Hecksteden ◽  
Hugh H. K. Fullagar ◽  
Tim Meyer
Keyword(s):  
Menstrual Cycle ◽  
Physical Performance ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Cycle Phase ◽  
Menstrual Cycle Phase

scholarly journals The Impact of Menstrual Cycle Phase on Economic Choice and Rationality

PLoS ONE ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. e0144080 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie C. Lazzaro ◽  
Robb B. Rutledge ◽  
Daniel R. Burghart ◽  
Paul W. Glimcher
Keyword(s):  
Menstrual Cycle ◽  
Cycle Phase ◽  
Menstrual Cycle Phase ◽  
Economic Choice ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals Protein Requirements of Pre-Menopausal Female Athletes: Systematic Literature Review

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 3527
Author(s):  
Drew Mercer ◽  
Lilia Convit ◽  
Dominique Condo ◽  
Amelia J. Carr ◽  
D. Lee Hamilton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Menstrual Cycle ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Protein Intake ◽  
Contraceptive Use ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Intermittent Exercise ◽  
Hormonal Contraceptive ◽  
Cycle Phase ◽  
Menstrual Cycle Phase ◽  
Protein Requirements

This systematic literature review aimed to determine the protein requirements of pre-menopausal (e.g., 18–45 years) female athletes and identify if the menstrual cycle phase and/or hormonal contraceptive use influence protein requirements. Four databases were searched for original research containing pre-menopausal female athletes that ingested protein alongside exercise. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Quality Criteria Checklist was used to determine study quality. Fourteen studies, which included 204 recreationally active or competitive females, met the eligibility criteria for inclusion in this review, and all were assessed as positive quality. The estimated average requirement (EAR) for protein intake of pre-menopausal recreational and/or competitive female athletes is similar for those undertaking aerobic endurance (1.28–1.63 g/kg/day), resistance (1.49 g/kg/day) and intermittent exercise (1.41 g/kg/day) of ~60–90 min duration. The optimal acute protein intake and influence of menstrual cycle phase or hormonal contraceptive use on protein requirements could not be determined. However, pre- and post-exercise protein intakes of 0.32–0.38 g/kg have demonstrated beneficial physiological responses in recreational and competitive female athletes completing resistance and intermittent exercise. The protein requirements outlined in this review can be used for planning and assessing protein intakes of recreational and competitive pre-menopausal female athletes.

scholarly journals Understanding female coaches’ and practitioners’ experience and support provision in relation to the menstrual cycle

2021 ◽  
pp. 174795412110585
Author(s):  
Natalie Brown ◽  
Camilla J Knight
Keyword(s):  
Menstrual Cycle ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Sport Performance ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Support Provision ◽  
Supportive Environment ◽  
Personal Experiences ◽  
Ethical Approval ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Female Coaches

The study aimed to develop an understanding of female coaches’ and sport science practitioners’ experience and support provision in relation to the menstrual cycle when working with female athletes. Following receipt of institutional ethical approval, 14 female coaches and practitioners (32.9 ± 6.9 years) participated in individual semi-structured interviews. Following analysis, two themes were developed: (1) Knowledge and awareness and (2) Support and management. Overall, it appeared that participants varied in their understanding and awareness of the impact of the menstrual cycle on sport performance, somewhat influenced by their own personal experiences. Participants’ knowledge and awareness subsequently impacted the support they provided to female athletes. Additionally, individual experiences and perceived secrecy relating to the menstrual cycle impacted on the informational and emotional support participants provided. Together, the findings highlight the importance of all coaches and practitioners enhancing their knowledge and understanding regarding the menstrual cycle and proactively providing support to athletes. Education to enhance coaches’ and practitioners’ knowledge and understanding will help to create a more open and supportive environment in sport, hopefully allowing for personal discomfort regarding the menstrual cycle to be addressed.

scholarly journals A Pilot Study on the Impact of Menstrual Cycle Phase on Elite Australian Football Athletes

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (18) ◽  
pp. 9591
Author(s):  
Mikaeli A. Carmichael ◽  
Rebecca L. Thomson ◽  
Lisa J. Moran ◽  
Joel R. Dunstan ◽  
Maximillian J. Nelson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Menstrual Cycle ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Perceived Exertion ◽  
Cycle Phase ◽  
Menstrual Cycle Phase ◽  
Squeeze Pressure ◽  
Australian Football League ◽  
Australian Football ◽  
The Impact

The effect of the menstrual cycle on athlete performance, wellbeing and perceived exertion and fatigue is not well understood. Furthermore, it has not been investigated specifically in Australian Football athletes. This pilot study aimed to explore how naturally menstruating Australian Football athletes may be affected by menstrual cycle phase. The data collected from the routine monitoring of five naturally menstruating athletes (average menstrual cycle length of 28 ± 3 [SD] days) in one team (athlete age range 18–35 years) competing in the Women’s Australian Football League during the 2019 season were retrospectively analysed to compare performance (countermovement jump parameters and adductor squeeze pressure), perceived exertion, perceived fatigue and wellbeing (perceived sleep quality, stress and soreness) outcomes between the follicular and luteal phases. Performance, perceived exertion, stress and soreness did not appear to be affected by menstrual cycle phase (p > 0.17). However, perceived fatigue appeared to be significantly greater (p = 0.042) and sleep quality worse (p = 0.005) in the luteal phase. This pilot study suggests further research focusing on the effect of menstrual cycle phase on subjective fatigue and wellbeing is warranted.

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